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From the Mises Institute: Crazy Wealth Tax Proposals in California and New York City..

From Daily Paws: A Colorado Dog Training Center Created a Haunted House for Dogs—Here's How It Went. [Ed: a little early in the season but I was charmed by this article.]

From the Guardian: Do Not Go Gentle by Kathleen Stock review – the case against euthanasia. The philosopher offers a measured and reasonable argument against assisted dying. [Ed: note the essential difference between euthanasia and suicide.]

AI. From Of Two Minds: AI Data Centers Are Not the Railroads of Today. "The AI boom shares all the risk profiles of previous speculative manias but lacks society-wide benefits while generating fast-metastasizing negative consequences and costs." [Ed: recommended.] From Data Center Dynamics: Amazon Plans Data Center In Wheatfield, Indiana; Will Pay $1.25BN To Reduce Energy Cost Impact On Local Payers. From Zero Hedge: AI Bots Placed In Virtual Town For 2 Weeks Go Apesh*t, Prompting Concerns. [Ed: yikes.]

From Eric Peters Auto: And The War Goes On

Food Prices. From Zero Hedge: UBS Warns El Nino May Intensify Food Inflation Across Asia. "Tightening global balances and large speculative shorts mean an El Niño-driven disruption..." [Ed: this will impact food prices worldwide, of course.] From X, Kobeissi Letter: Price of Rice in Asia Surging. [Ed: price of rice is a benchmark on inflation in Asia.] From Naked Capitalism: A Food Philosophy for Our Time?

From Just the News: EPA sparing animals in new testing methods results in crickets from major animal rights group. While PETA has fought for actions like these for decades, they’ve yet to comment on the animal-friendly moves.

CBS Drama. From Mediaite: CNN and MS NOW Spotlight the Insular, Self-Righteous Media Culture Bari Weiss Is Trying to Fix in Coverage of CBS Drama. [Ed: Go Bari!]

From CBS News: Hero dog warns family of house fire, drags baby out by diaper to safety

From International Man: Doug Casey on Peter Thiel's Relocation to Argentina... And What It Could Be Signaling.

The Trash that is Zelensky. From Zero Hedge: Germany, France, UK See Opportunity To Revive Putin Talks Without Washington. Zelensky too says: "I’m ready for direct negotiations with Putin right now." [Ed: yep. that's why the Ukraine attacked Putin's Davos yesterday. Virtue-signaling fund-seeking hypocrisy.] From Zero Hedge: Zelensky Pens Lengthy Letter To Putin: 'Enough Of War, I Am Proposing A Meeting'. "We see that the United States is fully focused on the issue of Iran, & it would be wrong to simply wait..."

Ukraine-Russia. From antiwar: NATO Propagandists Again Proclaim That Ukraine Is on the Verge of Winning the War

From Reason: Trump's Immunity Deal Stinks Even More Than His Blatantly Corrupt 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'. An addendum to the president's "settlement" of his lawsuit against the IRS shields him and his family from liability for any federal offenses they committed prior to May 19. [Ed: that's the part of the 'settlement' that surprised me the most. Is it even legal?]

From NTD: Xi Jinping Missing From Public View as Key Party Meeting Report Is Omitted. Xi Jinping’s unexplained absence and the missing May Politburo report have fueled speculation about developments in Beijing. [Ed: not seen since May 25,]

From Dogman Ray: The Beagle Brigade

Southern Poverty Law Center. From CBS: Justice Dept. says it has obtained superseding indictment against Southern Poverty Law Center with new details on donor funds. From the Volokh Conspiracy: More on the Southern Poverty Law Center Allegedly Funding the American Nazi Party and Other Racists.

From Western Journal: John Bolton Pleads Guilty. [Ed: of mishandling classified material. Will pay $2M fine and could get up to 60 months (5 yrs) in prison.]

Iran. From Son of the New American Revolution: Confirmed — Donald Trump Believes Iran Has The Bomb. From Alon Mizrahi: no agreement, no compromise with the colonizers, ever. The fatal risks Iran is running by letting this drag on indefinitely, and why I never criticize Western media anymore. [Ed: it is now day 102.] From Zero Hedge: Hezbollah Chief Rejects US-Mediated Israel Truce; Trump To Maintain Ceasefire With Iran Unless American Troops Killed

From Data Republican: Which NGOs Are Organizing the Newark Protests, and How. How a six-word Signal message shut down a thousand-person protest.

Fraud. From Paragon Health Institute: The Persistent Obamacare Enrollment Fraud. [Ed: over 6.2 million fraudulent enrollees, or 1/4 of the total.] From Milwaukee City Journal: DOJ Announces $90 Million Medicaid Fraud Indictment in Minneapolis as Acting AG No-Shows. [Ed: I expect most large cities are similar.] From the Hindustan Times: What is the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act'? Full breakdown of AB 2624 and the YouTuber’s clash with California. Nick Shirley has claimed the AB 2624 that he dubbed as the Stop Nick Shirley Act could restrict investigative reporting into immigration-related nonprofits. [Ed: the Act has passed the House. I don't think Newsom will sign it, however, as he has his eye on a White House run.]

From Gateway Hispanic: Everything You Need to Know About Peru June 7 Presidential Election: Polls, Candidates, and Proposals. [Ed: the more conservative candidate has the advantage, but not by much.]

From People: Dog Goes Missing in a Dense Forest with No Cell Reception, Then the Pet's Owner Gets a Ping of Hope

Jill Biden. From New York Post: Joe Biden crashes Jill’s book talk, steals spotlight to ask who she loves the most in incredibly cringey moment. [Ed: cringey is correct. Difficult to read.] From Slate: Jill Biden’s Memoir Proves She and Joe Are Stuck in a Version of America That Doesn’t Exist. The former first lady’s View From the East Wing is pissing Democrats off, for reasons that are a little hard to fathom. From ABC News: Jill Biden tells 'The View' no one shared health concerns about Joe Biden with her ahead of 2024 debate. She said he wouldn't have been fit for an entire term after cancer diagnosis. [Ed: the woman is flatly lying. Quelle suprise!]

From Orvis News: These Dogs Are Heroes. . .And They Are Pit Bulls

Jack Smith's Pursuit of Trump. From FOX News: Todd Blanche reveals DOJ unearthed cache of Jack Smith documents inside forgotten room. Blanche says documents were found in burn bags, but their placement suggests an agent may have saved them. [Ed: Smith presided over a legal witchhunt the like of which I have not seen before.]

From F.I.R.E: Video on YouTube, history of Anthony Comstock and the Comstock Act. [Ed: hat tip to Brad.]

From Reason: The Draft Is Unpopular. Registration Becomes Automatic in December Anyway. The federal government will now dig through databases to register 18-year-olds for conscription. [Ed: I am reminded of the FREE Paul Jacob campaign the Voluntaryists conducted.]

From the Garrison Center: Florida Property Tax Debate: The Right Answer is Always “Cut Government Spending” [Ed: by the excellent Thomas Knapp.]

From Life With Dogs: Brave Dog Stops Murderer from Killing His Family.

Iran. From Zero Hedge: Iran Issues 4-Stage Proposal For Deal With US, After Most Intense Overnight Clashes Since April. Iran's missile attack on Kuwait International Airport leaves one dead, 63 injured, many in serious condition... [Ed: Kuwait International Airport rocked by Iranian missiles.] From Foreign Affairs: Iran’s New Grand Strategy. How a Remade Islamic Republic Will Reshape the Middle East. From Zero Hedge: Iran Issues 4-Stage Proposal For Deal With US, After Most Intense Overnight Clashes Since April. Iran's missile attack on Kuwait International Airport leaves one dead, 63 injured, many in serious condition... From the Republic World: Trump Signals Breakthrough With Iran, Assures Strait of Hormuz Will Reopen 'Immediately' After Peace Deal.

Anti-Weaponization Fund. From Civitas Outlook: No one can, or should, defend these massive legal abuses. [Ed: by the renown Richard Epstein on the Maga Anti-weaponization Fund.] From Politico: 5 lingering questions about Trump’s ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche sought to end the furor over the fund, but the saga seems far from over.

From Lew Rockwell: How They Rig Clinical Trials and the Price We All Pay for It. A practical guide to spotting doctored research and finding the therapies that actually help.

War Powers Resolution. From Newser: House Passes Iran War Powers Resolution. 4 Republicans sided with Democrats in 215-208 vote. [Ed: in theory, this halts military action in Iran. In theory.] From Axios: House rebukes Trump over war in Iran. "Four Republicans — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) and Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) — voted in support of the measure."

From Organic Prepper: Small Space Prepping: 25 Ideas for Stashing Your Stockpile AND 50 Non-Food Stockpile Necessities

From NBC5: Van Family Finds Dog Missing Since Sunday's EF-3 Tornado. Family car toppled, dog lost in Van EF-3 tornado

From Politico.EU: Germany fails to win UN Security Council seat in major diplomatic setback for Merz. Berlin partly blamed the “bitter defeat” on its steadfast support for Israel, which it suggested cost it key votes in the General Assembly. "...instead awarded Portugal and Austria two non-permanent seats on the Security Council."

Ukraine-Russia. From the 100 Days: Why Didn't You Hear About Starob*lsk? As the war escalates dangerously, Russians are citing the massacre of 21 teenagers in their sleep by U.S.-supported Ukrainian drones as a justification. Yet it's barely been reported here. [Ed: a must read.] From Zero Hedge: Ukrainian Drone Smashes Into Russian Passenger Bus, Killing 8 Civilians. Could in turn invite even bigger Russian airstrikes on capital... [Ed: this sort of attack rouses public support for retaliation.] From Zero Hedge: 'Putin's Davos' Forum Opens Under Heavy Ukrainian Drone Attack, With Candace Owens & Trump Official In Attendance. Andrew Tate also rumored to be in St. Petersburg as black smoke plumes envelope city... [Ed: this time it's personal.]

From House Oversight: Gill Opens Task Force’s First Hearing on Ohio Medicaid Waiver Fraud. [Ed: $1.2B in fraud found in Medicaid payments so far.]

From Eric Peters Auto: Buying An EV Will Not Save You Money

Russia. From the Diplomat: Moscow’s New Military Partner Has Something Russia Needs More Than Allies. The security provisions in recent agreements with the Taliban may reflect intent, but the more immediate benefit on the Russian side appears to be addressing the labor shortage. [Ed: similar to how the States needs Mexican workers.] From Brian McDonald: How Western Europe’s elites lost the plot over Russia. "The West won the Cold War by offering a better life, not by policing thought. The op-ed and think tank classes seem determined to forget that lesson." From Andrew Korybko: The Russian-Afghan Military-Technical Deal Is A Step Towards Closer Anti-Terrorist Cooperation

From City-Journal: The Truth About Slavery and America. The institution was neither unique to the United States nor central to its growth and prosperity.

California Elections. From Hot Air: California's Elections Are a Bad Joke; UPDATE: Suddenly Raman Is Ahead of Pratt in the Odds. From the New York Post: Trump claims Dems ‘trying to steal’ California primaries, launches probe into sluggish vote counts From American Thinker: LA: Who’s Surprised? The results of the Los Angeles mayoral primary are disappointing to the rest of America but unsurprising.

From Reason: CBP Agents Violently Arrested This Chicago Woman. Now She's Seeking $10 Million in Damages. Debbie Brockman, a U.S. citizen, was held in federal custody for seven hours and released with no charges after her arrest by immigration agents last October. [Ed: shocking story.]

From Orvis News: Photos: 15 Dogs Whose Best Friends are Other Species.

From NBC News: Hurricane Season Starts, With a Below-Average Forecast. Forecasters cite El Niño, but warn one major storm is enough. [Ed: the season began on Monday in the Atlantic.]

From New York (NY) Post: Spencer Pratt says he will fight Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayor runoff election

From Daily BB News: One day, a couple of good people were informed that a poor little puppy

From New Physics: SCIENTISTS JUST CREATED A 5D GLASS DISC THAT CAN STORE 360 TERABYTES AND LAST FOR BILLIONS OF YEARS.

Anti-Weaponization Fund. From Cato Institute: What Can Be Done About President Trump’s Slush Fund? ...Anti-Weaponization Fund—$1.8 billion to compensate persons who can show they were wrongly targeted victims of “lawfare.” From CBC: Trump administration to pause controversial anti-weaponization fund after court ruling. Fund saw backlash from Democrats, some Republicans over potential payouts to Jan. 6 rioters. [Ed: Trump is probably planning to do a workaround.]

AI. From the Telegraph: The anti-AI backlash is building against tech oligarchs playing God. The problem is not so much the technology but with the people building it, who have attracted the enmity of all political sides. From ABC News: Nvidia Bets on AI Personal Computers With New Chip Powering Windows Laptops. [Ed: to be rolled out later this year.] From Zero Hedge: "The Value Didn't Arrive": Bain Finds Cost-Savings From AI Are Falling Far Short Of Projections. “Companies that don’t validate their reinvestment math against what automation actually returned, rather than what it was supposed to return, are compounding risk rather than managing it.”

Gaza. From the Cradle: ‘The ceasefire is a joke’: Israeli soldiers describe continued targeted killings of Palestinians in Gaza

From Nefarious Russians: Ancient Soviet wisdom can help you thrive during American decline. The first collectivist self help manual. [Ed: a must read.]

From Hot Air: Germany's Slide Continues: Businesses Close, Gov Looks at Forcing Elderly to Sell Homes for Assistance. [Ed: recent article stated, "Germany: 65,000 small retail stores have disappeared as economic downturn continues to hit Europe’s ‘powerhouse’"]

Ebola. From Reuters: Moderna and other groups get $60 million to develop Ebola vaccine. [Ed: because Moderna has such a great track record with covid?] From the Daily Mail: Ebola surge has reached Brazil, experts fear as outbreak kills 250 in central Africa and aid struggles to keep up. [Ed: this is misleading. The 2 'cases' in Brazil are unconfirmed.] From Reuters: Ebola Numbers Suddenly Look More Hopeful. Suspected cases in Congo drop from more than 900 to 116, says the WHO. [Ed: never outright trust data. Always consider the source, whether the data seems plausible, the surrounding politics...]

From CTV News: Lucky Clover: Family dog stops traffic in Ottawa neighbourhood to help owner during a medical emergency

From Newser: Supreme Court allows Alabama to use congressional map favoring Republicans in this year's elections. [Ed: the Dems are going to turn increasingly to violence. Note: the old map favored Dems, which they did not object to on the grounds of fairness.]

From Real Clear Wire: Waste Of The Day: Seattle's Homelessness Fiasco. The homelessness agency in King County, Wash., has a $45 million deficit, but auditors can’t fully figure out why. [Ed: Odd. I can make a fair conjecture from my farm in Canada.]

From Hot Air: Doctors Celebrate Breakthrough Cancer Treatment with Standing Ovation [Ed: yes.]

Nick Shirley. From FOX News: Nick Shirley blasts California lawmakers for what some have dubbed the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’. [Ed: I don't think can withstand a SCOTUS review. Puts journalists at civil risk for investigating fraud.] From the American Thinker: California Legislators Shriek: 'Stop Nick Shirley!'

From Futurism: Trump Shovels $4 Billion Directly to Elon Musk, Who Spent a Fortune Getting Him Elected. [Ed: of course. Did anyone expect anything less?]

Henry Nowak. From Human Events: Police bodycam footage in Henry Nowak's murder sparks nationwide fury, clashes with police in Southampton. Nowak had been stabbed with a ceremonial knife during an incident that led to the conviction of 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa. [Ed: this case could well be a tipping point in the UK's preferential policies toward 'minorities'] From the Independent: Officer involved in Henry Nowak case resigns after Starmer says he ‘felt sick’ watching bodycam footage. [Ed: Starmer finally reacts.]

From I Love My Dog So Much: Mom Looks On In Shock As Her Newly Groomed Pup Finds A Big, Muddy Puddle

From Hot Air: Exxon VP Issues Dire Inventory Warning, Announces Move of Firm's 'Legal Home' to Texas. [Ed: various sources say s*** will hit the fan in late summer. I don't know whether to credit them.]

Israel. From the Gray Zone: Israeli authorities refuse to return massive trove of Oct 7 video. What are they hiding? Israeli citizens wonder why the state won’t return October 7 footage it confiscated from them.

Iran. From Moon of Alabama: War On Iran: Economic Reality Will Force Trump To Defy The Lobby’s Pressure. This graphic explains why Trump is under stress and why Iran believes it is winning the conflict. [Ed: I think Trump has hit the quitting point.] From Zero Hedge: Iran Sends Missiles, Drones Targeting Airbases Across Gulf After US Nighttime Attack On Qeshm Island. War returning? Explosions, sirens reported in Kuwait, KSA, UAE & Bahrain... From BBC: US and Iran launch new strikes, as Kuwait says airport hit by Iranian drones

From Washington Examiner: Taxpayers shouldn’t bankroll Mamdani’s grocery experiment

From Zero Hedge: US Treasury Sanctions Iran's Largest Crypto Exchange. Did this sweeping action fuel BTC's crashing well below $68K Tuesday?

From Doog Lovers: An Incredible Tale of Survival and Friendship as a Dog Rescues a Stranded Pup from the Snow

From the White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Integrity to America’s Financial System. [Ed: wants banks to check for undocumented migrants and under-the-table workers.] From American Finance Services Association: New EO on Undocumented Customer Accounts. [Ed: the essence of the Executive Order.] From Cato Institute: Banks Are Not Immigration Enforcement, Mr. President. "...banks need to start reporting people they suspect of being in the country illegally or of engaging in other illegal activity."

Delaney Hall. From BBC: New Jersey alleges 'unsanitary' conditions at migrant facility rocked by protests. [Ed: this very well publicized and organized protest feels like a dry run tome.. That is, I expect it to be repeated at other detention centers across the U.S.] From the Post Millennial: DHS slams 'frivolous' lawsuit from NJ officials seeking full access to Delaney Hall for health, sanitation inspection.

From PBS: Candidates for California governor and LA mayor make their final pitches to voters. [Ed: the vote is today.]

From AOL: Trump calls for physical audit of Fort Knox after $40M gold arrest. [Ed: comes after revelation that a former CIA agent had $42M in gold bars in his home.]

From Dog Time: Dog Saves Man’s Life During Heart Attack.

France Attacks Russian Ship. From the BBC: France seized sanctioned Russian oil tanker with UK help, Macron says "It is the fourth suspected shadow fleet vessel that France has boarded since September 2025." From Times of India: Naval Escalation Ahead? France's Russian Tanker Operation Sparks Kremlin Outrage. [Ed: will Putin release the Russian navy? Video.] From EU Today: Macron Escalates Maritime Pressure on Russia’s Shadow Fleet. France’s latest tanker boarding suggests a long overdue shift from regulation to enforcement.

From Axios: Scoop: Trump admin plans to drop "weaponization" fund. [Ed: it was causing more controversy than it was worth and would have meant fighting in courts.]

Big Economic Picture. From Ron Paul Institute: Ron Paul: The Federal Reserve Is Why The People Are Unhappy. The erosion of Americans’ purchasing power has led to a debt-based economy... From Mish Talk: ISM Manufacturing Rebound Continues, 66.3 Percent Report Higher Prices. "Production up, imports up, exports up, prices up, employment still contracting."

Columbia, the Country. From the BBC: Colombia presidential runoff pits leftist senator against pro-Trump rival. [Ed: in first vote, they got 41% to 44% of the vote. Runoff election is June 21.] From YouTube: Colombia's Elections Explained. [Ed: could redefine relationship with the U.S.] From Cato Institute: Colombia Strikes the Latest Blow to the Latin American Left

Iran War. From Zero Hedge: Iran Has Dug Out More Missile Tunnels Than Previously Thought: Satellite Analysis. CNN showcases "limits of US bombing plan"...

From Fishwrap: 8 Pawsitively Incredible Dog Stories That Will Make Your Day

From Lew Rockwell: Ebola Madness!

Ukraine-Russia. From Andrew Korybko’s Newsletter: Ukraine Is Now Indisputably An Anti-Polish State [Ed: recommended.] From the BBC News: Massive Russian attack on cities across Ukraine kills at least 10 people. [Ed: Putin wants to end this war. Will the EU let him?]

From the Conversation: Privacy isn’t dead – it’s just that tech companies have made it inconvenient. [Ed: I agree. I don't believe it is impossible to preserve a high level of privacy in today's world.]

From the Mises Institute: Theory Explains Data, Not the Other Way Around. The doctrine of positive economics tells us that data will provide an appropriate theory. As usual Austrian economists understand that mainstream economists have the entire thing backwards. [Ed: fascinating point that I've never considered.]

Israel. From Zero Hedge: Trump Reportedly Ripped Netanyahu In Phone Call, Demanded Lebanon Truce: 'You're F**king Crazy, I'm Saving Your Ass'. Trump soon after announced the "shooting will stop" in Lebanon... [Ed: Netanyahu may need to continue in order to hold power domestically.] From Mediaite: Furious Mark Levin Demands Probe Into Leak of Trump’s Tirade at Netanyahu: ‘VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW. [Ed: the report of the call "cited two unnamed U.S. officials and a third, anonymous source."] From Legal Insurrection: Israel Captures Strategic Crusader-Era Fortress as Offensive Against Hezbollah in Lebanon Widens. From Hot Air: Trump: Hezbollah Agrees to Abide By Ceasefire, Iran Talks Back On.

From the BBC News: Clashes continue in Lebanon despite Israel and Hezbollah accepting US partial ceasefire plan.

From Reason: Surging Antisemitism Threatens Jews and America. Repackaged as “antizionism,” an ancient hatred poses a fundamental danger to us all.

From Dogman Ray: Nepal Festival of Dogs

Digital Currency. From the Foundation for Economic Education: The Slow Disappearance Of Cash In Europe. Under the guise of fighting money laundering, the EU is making anonymous economic activity progressively harder... The digital euro is on the way... [Ed: digital currency is either a door to personal freedom or to state control, depending on how it is used.] From QTR's Fringe Finance: Saylor Breaks The 'Immaculate' Bitcoin Narrative "Strategy just sold 32 bitcoin. In February, Saylor had said: "We are not going to be selling."

From Reason: Shame on the U.K. for Censoring Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur. [Ed: banned for being vocal critics of Israel.]

From Jonathan Turley: The Red Apple: Mamdani Announces Possible Transfer of Housing to Tenants. "...it promises to replicate the failures of socialist systems of the past."

Jill Biden's Book. From Zero Hedge: Jill Biden's Memoir Tour Is Getting Trashed From The Left. "I'm not going to get out on the stage there and say, Joe, you really screwed that up..." From the New York Post: Democrats enraged by Jill Biden’s book as ex-first lady puts Joe’s disastrous debate back in the news: ‘She must have had a stroke herself’ From Joe Biden: [link=https://joebiden.com/]From the Office of Joe and Jill Biden.[/link] [Ed; interesting. Joe's official page with the American seal lists "the office of Joe and Jill Biden. She's not even trying to hide who is in charge.]

From the Hill: The retirement age changed this year: Here’s what to know.

Graham Platner. From Mediaite: MS NOW Reveals Graham Platner Bailed On Scheduled Interview Amid New Sexting Revelations. [Ed: info leaked by one of his own aides.] From the Hindustan Times: Graham Platner's disturbing Reddit posts on ‘Latin American hookers’ and ’cheating' in focus amid sexting row. [Ed: this guy could damage the candidacy of all Democrats who will probably be asked 'do you endorse Graham Platner'?]

From Doog Lovers: Heartwarming Double Adoption Day Unites a Boy and His Dog in Perfect Family Harmony