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From NPR: Biden Sues Justice Department. Case involves interviews with ghostwriter that were later tied to special counsel probe. [Ed: Biden wants to stop the release of audio and transcripts of the interviews.] From FOX News: Trump lashes out at Biden over suing DOJ to hide interview audio files. Biden's lawyers filed suit in Washington federal court to prevent audio and transcripts from reaching Congress.

From CBS News: Pet dog survives mountain lion attack outside its Glendora home. [Ed: saved by its owner.].

From the AP: SCOTUS Halts Immigration Judges' Free Speech Lawsuit. Supreme Court sides with Trump, tweaks lower court for responding to 'political controversies of the day'

From NASA: NASA Details Its Plan for Permanent Moon Base. Agency details phased moon base plan with private contractors. [Ed: private companies will be integral but not in charge.]From CNBC: NASA moon base plans spark rally across space stocks.

GOP=Trump Party. From Politico: Al Green Ousted in Houston's Democratic House Runoff. Longtime Trump antagonist loses to Christian Menefee after redistricting upheaval. [Ed: ousted largely as a result of redistricting. And you wondered why the Dems hated redistricting so much...at least, when done by the GOP. BTW, Green was one of the most repulsive people in Congress.] From the Post Millennial: Of the 118 candidates so far across governor, US House, and US Senate races Trump has endorsed, all of them have won their primaries.

Iran Negotiations. From Times of India: Trump's New Mideast Strategy Appears to Be a Longshot. President links Iran cease-fire to expanded Abraham Accords with Israel. [Ed: Trump is a tough enough negotiator to add this requirement merely in order to drop it in a quid pro quo.] From Naked Capitalism: Iran War: Negotiations Deadlocked on Fundamental Issues as Media Keeps Up Happy Talk; Iran Promises Retaliation as US Still Coiled to Strike. From Al Jazeera: Iran war live: Trump says no one will control Strait of Hormuz

From Reason: A Flawed Minimum Wage Study Shows How Bad Stats Get Turned Into Policy Gospel. A 2024 paper claimed higher minimum wages don't kill jobs. It was statistically significant—and almost certainly misleading. A 2024 paper claimed higher minimum wages don't kill jobs. It was statistically significant—and almost certainly misleading.

From Dog Heirs: Dog Crawls Under Fence To Visit Neighbors Looking For Love And Affection

From Reuters: US Will Send Ebola-Exposed Citizens to Kenya: Sources. Critics warn overseas care may offer lower-quality Ebola treatment. [Ed: it looks to be a US founded and US staffed facility in Kenya. But this is a sharp change in US medical policy.]

Big Picture Economics. From Quote the Raven: For Those Who Refuse To Leave The Market. At these highs, one distinction could matter a lot more than people think. [Ed: a must read for those who refuse to leave.] From Zero Hedge: "Removed Without Warning": Ex-BP Chairman Blasts Abrupt Ouster As Wall Street Gets Spooked. "I dispute entirely the characterization of my conduct and I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged." AND EU Packaging Rules Create Another Bureaucratic Monster. In August, a new EU packaging regulation will come into force. A costly and cumbersome compliance regime comes with it. It increasingly appears that nothing can stop Brussels’ bureaucratization machine anymore. [Ed: these new rules constitute high transaction costs that skim the profit or the advantage off of trade.]

From Euronews: Trump Board of Peace's official Gaza reconstruction fund is empty, source says. The board is unambiguously led not just by the United States but by Trump personally, who holds the final say and can remain in charge past his presidency. [Ed: it was always just show and mirrors.]

From the {Post Millennial: Democrat darling streamer Hasan Piker names Roy Singham as backer of far-left protests after federal subpoena

From Zero Hedge: Germany's Tax Revenue Collapse Signals Fiscal And Industrial Breakdown. The tax party of Germany’s welfare-state engineers is over. [Ed: if Germany goes down, then all of Europe does as well.]

Ukraine-Russia. From Zero Hedge: Putin Authorizes Debt Relief To Lure New Ukraine War Recruits. Wipes clean up to $140,000... [Ed: innovative.] From YuriPodolyaka at X: Fascinating analysis from an insider. From Partisan Girl at X: Zelensky’s associate Mindich has fled Ukraine to Israel with a collection of 800 kg of gold bullion. [Ed: surprise. The best reporting is not from the mainstream media.] From Southfront Press: Geran-2 Drones Are Now Precise Enough To Hit Drone Boats

From Big Think: What anxiety is really trying to tell you. Anxiety feels like a malfunction. Evolutionarily speaking, it's one of your most sophisticated features. [Ed: a must read.]

From Daily BB News: There’s only one way to save a dog that has already given up on life

From Reason: High Liquor Taxes and a Home Distillation Ban Guarantee a Thriving Booze Black Market AND How Moral Panic Creates Black Markets. Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin E. Roth discusses the moral limits of markets, how bans create black markets, and why harm reduction often works better than prohibition. ]Ed: Sam Konkin would have loved these.]

From the Telegraph: “The haul included high-end watches, bracelets, rings and pendants which were found inside José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s safe this week. "A police raid which found £40,000 of luxury jewellery in the office of Spain’s former prime minister has deepened the corruption scandal engulfing the government of Pedro Sánchez. [Ed: both are members of the far left socialist party.] UPDATE. From DW: Spain: Police raid HQ of PM's Socialist party in graft probe. [Ed: Sanchez depends on a coalition gov. It is not clear whether his allies will remain so.]

Antisemitism. From the Post Millennial: Violent Portland suspect freed without bail allegedly smashes officer's face with softball-sized rock one day later AND Texas Dem who said she's 'against Zionist Jews,' called to 'put them into a prison,' loses House runoff. [Ed: I never thought I'd see the rise of antisemitism in N. America.]

Redistricting in U.S. From the Independent: How the redistricting battle is taking shape ahead of midterms. This extensive redistricting effort, which is still unfolding, could significantly alter the political landscape. [Ed: well, the last redistricting was done by the Dems and was according to racial standards, which benefited them. Surprise, surprise.] From Politico: Florida judge refuses to block new congressional map that could net 4 seats for GOP. The decision doesn’t end the legal battle, but it greatly increases the likelihood that the map will be in place for the 2026 midterms.

From the Hill: Mullin ‘drawing up plans’ to halt international flight processing in ‘sanctuary cities’. [Ed: well, custom and immigration officers are federal employees. Of course, airlines will refuse to fly into those airports.]

From Best Friends: Escape artist dog finds her zen.

Israel. From Ethan Levins on X: Israel has begun carpet bombing Tyre, Lebanon. [Ed: pop. is about 150,000.] From the BBC: Israel strikes Tyre after ordering evacuation of south Lebanon city.

From Victory Girls Blog: Can Spencer Pratt Get Elected In Los Angeles? The Los Angeles mayoral race is now in viral territory thanks to Spencer Pratt, and Democrats have no clue how to stop him. [Ed: I think he will be elected.]

From Fast Company: Dog Complex: Analyzing Freud’s Relationship With His Pets. For all of his work interpreting human consciousness, the famed psychologist rarely delved into our obsession with pets.

AI and the Pope. From Reuters: Pope Leo Makes Plea to the World on AI. Pontiff's first papal encyclical draws comparison to the Tower of Babel. [Ed: calling for more gov. regulation. This Pope really oversteps his job description.] From Politico: Silicon Valley takes its AI pitch to the pope. As Leo XIV prepares his first encyclical, technology firms and Western diplomats have worked to make their case inside the Vatican.

From Zero Hedge: Brussels Eyes Wealth Taxes As Europe’s Fiscal Crisis Spirals. "Brussels is lending support to advocates of a wealth tax with a half-baked study. Capital gains, private wealth, and even emigrants are now falling onto the radar of the European tax authorities."

From Video Rebel's Blog: The War in the Mideast is Over If We Want It. [Ed: I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this analysis, but it is certainly interesting.]

Ebola. From the Guardian: Ebola Outbreak Is Becoming 'Overwhelming'. Conflict, underfunded clinics hinder response in Congo. [Ed: as I mentioned yesterday, this would cause patients to flee into the general population and other to think twice about going in the first place.] From Zero Hedge: CDC Adds Another Airport For Screening Of Travelers Who Might Have Ebola. People traveling from Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan can go to Atlanta or Houston, in addition to Virginia...

From Reason: Ayn Rand Is Alive in Ankara. Objectivism in Turkey has risen and fallen in recent decades, but is newly rejuvenated. [Ed: this delights me.]

Graham Platner. From the New York Post: Lefty Senate candidate Graham Platner makes unthinkable gaffe, flubs Bernie Sanders’ name twice in fiery ‘Fight the Oligarchy’ rally. [Ed: called him Standers.] From Mediaite: Red Sox Network Pulls Graham Platner Ad From Airwaves [Ed: bashes team ownership in the spot.] From WFIN: Platner doesn’t apologize to Purple Heart recipient, voters when confronted on post mocking soldier. [Ed: I don't think this fellow will be elected. The Dems should not be backing him.]

From Indian Express: Pregnant dog saves people from fire at Russian health centre, suffers severe burns in the process. The dog, Matilda, barked loudly to alert the four residents, who were evacuated in the nick of time from the burning wooden building by firefighters and taken away in ambulances.

Coming Elections. From AP: Paxton Scores Huge Win in Texas. He easily defeats Sen. John Cornyn in GOP primary after Trump endorsement. [Ed: it chokes me to admit it, but...the power of a Trump endorsement.]

AI. From Tony Seruga on X: How The Deep State Weaponizes AI To Control The Narrative. No more paper trails, subpoenas, or exposed biases - just seamless manipulation... [Ed: well, this also benefits the individual who wants privacy.]

Crypto & Digital Currency & Fiat. From the International Man: The Iran War Could Trigger Gold's Return as Money. AND Fear Is Not an Investment Strategy [Ed: Doug and his associates are the most savvy source of finance info around, IMO.] From Thomas Kolbe: The Digital Euro As Europe's Backdoor Capital Control System. Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel dismissed criticism and concerns surrounding the digital euro. [Ed: it is important to know the difference between crypto (freedom) and digital currency (possible state control).]

From Reuters: SCOTUS Delivers Big Setback to Meta. Court says Vermont's social media addiction lawsuit against company can proceed.

From Paw Nations: Adorable Pekingese Is ‘Employee of the Month’ at This UK Shop, and We Can See Why

Iran War. From Zero Hedge: Iran Vows 'Swift, Decisive' Revenge After Overnight US Port Attack, As Sides Seek Deal Allowing Each To 'Sell Their Narrative'. ...while Rubio signals optimism on peace deal in 'days'.

From Common Dreams: 'Giant Turd': Progressive Dems Continue To Rage At DNC 2024 Autopsy. Never once do they stop & ask whether the thing they're selling is bullshit...

Now if only the dogs were piddling on it...

And, yet, they never consider eliminating welfare programs

From the Epoch Times: With Commercial Real Estate Still Challenging, Lenders Offload Troubled Loans At A Loss. Many lenders don’t want to foreclose because they don’t want to become landlords, according to a corporate real estate adviser.

From YouTube: Strong Until the Vet Touches Him. [Ed: really funny.]

Everyday Economics. From Real Clear Markets: My Retirement Accounts Fail In The World I Actually Live In. [Ed: a must read. The system of Accredited Investors also shuts individuals who not already wealthy from participating in most stock opportunities.] From Zero Hedge: $150 Humanoid Robot House Cleaning Service Threatens To Undercut Maid Services. "Called "Gatsby," the new service deploys humanoid robots to homes for a flat service charge of $150." [Ed: soon, buying the cleaning robots will be within reach.] From the Washington Times: Oil prices dip as markets anticipate potential U.S.-Iran peace deal

Ukraine-Russia. From Dances With Bears: This is How President Vladimir Putin Answers the Questions on Every Russian Voter's Mind in the Election Campaign--Why Count on Trump Bribes to Finish the War When Zelensky Bribes Keep the War Going? [Ed: Helmer always has fascinating insights into Russian opinions and political trends.] From BBC: Russia: We Told Rubio to Get Americans Out of Kyiv. Moscow vows fresh strikes on 'decision-making centers' in the capital

From Peta Pixel: Photographer Spends Night on Freezing Mountain to Capture Rare Triple Galaxy Arch [Ed: hat tip to my good friend Phyllis. Incredible photograph.]

From the Daily Economy: What Hayek Tells Us About the Limits of War Planning. F.A. Hayek’s insights challenge the idea of rational war: outcomes depend on dispersed, tacit knowledge no planner can fully access or control.

AI. From the Epoch Times: Two Billboards In New York Capture The Conflict Of Our Time From Politico: What to know about the AI models that are jolting Washington. Researchers who have tested Anthropic’s Mythos and OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 say their hacking capabilities are a “game-changer.” [Ed: this and war applications are the most dangerous aspect of AI, in my opinion.] From Medium: The Entire AI Boom Might be Built on Fake Revenue. [Ed: no, but far too much of it is.]

From Wired: A Hacker Group Is Poisoning Open Source Code at an Unprecedented Scale. User-friendly archive here. [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, Yikes. Now *this* is a cyberattack that worries me.]

From the Good News Network: Dog Saved from Pound Rescuers New Owner from House Fire: ‘A genuine treasure’

From Bearing Arms: Minnesota Dems Melt Down After Gun Ban Vote Fails. [Ed: "melt down" is not too strong a term.] AND Why Gun Control Is a Bad Issue for Democrats To Focus On.

From the Babylon Bee: 'I Am Your Father,' Reveals Trump To Horrified Mark Hamill

Iran. From Zero Hedge: Iran Says U.S. Peace Talks Hit "Consensus" On Many Issues, But No Final Deal Yet. "It is true that a consensus was reached on many of the topics discussed..." From Son of the New American Revolution: 250,000,000 Reasons Why Trump is Backing Away From a Deal with Iran. From antiwar: Sen. Lindsey Graham Backs Trump’s Suggestion To Tie Any Iran Deal To Expanding Abraham Accords From Zero Hedge: US Launches "Self-Defense Strikes" Near Hormuz, Killing Several Iranian Personnel. "U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire"

From CBS News: Here's what the draft memo for a proposed deal with Iran includes. [Ed: important enough to stand alone.]

Garden Grove Chemical Threat. From USA Today: Chemical tank no longer at risk of exploding, California official says "A cracked tank at GKN Aerospace's Garden Grove facility containing 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate forced the evacuation of about 40,000 residents..." From Los Angeles Times: Garden Grove chemical crisis: Live evacuation maps, closures and updates.

From Cato Institute: DHS Quits Granting Green Cards—Almost Entirely. "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday that it will cease granting green card applications except in extraordinary circumstances." From the Mises Institute: Mises’s Theory of Nations Applied to Immigration and Borders

Ebola. From Al Jazeera: Attacks on Ebola centres intensify in eastern DRC amid outbreak fears. [Ed: the attacks make people who are suspected of infection flee into the population and discourages people from using the centers in the first place.] From Medical Express: Ebola outbreak in the DRC: Four reasons it will be hard to contain.

From Daily Economy: Exit Taxes Won’t Save Failing States. Some state lawmakers are focused on making leaving costly, while ignoring the reforms that could make staying attractive.

From Pupvine: Missouri Woman Picked Up Her Dog From The Groomer Then Realized It Was Not Oscar

Fraud. From the New York Post: Whistleblower on Minnesota COVID fraud demands Rep. Ilhan Omar testify on $250M scheme. AND AG Letitia James has some explaining to do on Medicaid. From MSN: White House freezes $1.3B Medicaid funds to California over fraud claims. Largest Medicaid deferral: The administration withheld $1.3 billion from California’s home care program, calling it the biggest Medicaid funding deferral ever over fraud concerns. [Ed: uncovering and preventing fraud is a powerful election issue for the GOP.] AND US government overpaid welfare and Medicare recipients by $186 billion last year after a shocking surge

From the Epoch Times: Trump Indicates He'll Sign Bill Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent. The president said the move could be a ‘very nice’ victory for the GOP.

The Media. From Zero Hedge: Colbert Blames Trump, But Massive Profit Losses Killed His Show. Stephen Colbert thought that becoming a propaganda machine for the far-left establishment would protect him, but Hollywood still loves money... "Colbert's show was losing around $50 million per year. His bloated production crew of 200 people and ludicrous salary of $20 million per season created an annual filming cost of over $100 million." From Mediaite: CBS Stops Its Copyright Claims on Stephen Colbert’s Special Public Access Show After Heavy Backlash — Allowing it to Be Freely Shared Online

From Mediaite: Graham Platner Declines to Apologize for Celebrating Video of American Soldier Being Shot [Ed: Graham Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine. Susan Collins must be happy, even tho she is still polling behind.]

From the BBC: How Pickles the dog found the World Cup trophy

I highly recommend Gene Sharp's 3-vol work, The Politics of Nonviolent Action.

Russia-Ukraine. From Naked Captalism: Russia Launches Largest Missile Attack Against Kiev of War [Ed: probably n retaliation to Ukraine's attack on a school dormitory, which killed 21 people the last I checked.] From the Guardian: Russia Uses Oreshnik Missile in Pounding Overnight Barrage. Ukrainians watch homes burn in attack that reportedly killed 4, injured 80.

From Daily BB News: That Sunday, when Graham headed to the woods for one of his regular walks....

Space X and Space. From Universe Today: SpaceX’s Next-Gen Starship Passes Its First Flight Test Despite Snags. [Ed: I have not watched the videos available on this launch but Brad tells me they are spectacular.] From Portfolio Armor: Trading Spaces. "Space names soar as SpaceX gets ready to IPO, just like we told you they would." From Phys.org: China set for latest space launch, with Hong Kong astronaut aboard.

Cuba. From Scheer Post: Tens of Thousands Rally in Havana Against US Aggression as Cuba Prepares Citizens for War From Lew Rockwell: Nobody Sincerely Believes Cuba Threatens the United States

From Jonathan Turley: The Spanberger Flea Circus: Virginia Governor Signs Anti-Ice Executive Order Devoid of Meaning. [Ed: Dem states v. GOP Feds.]

Israel. From Andolu Agency: Israel pounds Gaza, Lebanon in daily breaches of ceasefires. "Tel Aviv's latest breaches of ceasefire injure 2 in Gaza Strip, kill at least 5 in Lebanon."[Ed: and, in response...] From DW: Cheap attack drones break through Israel’s Iron Dome. [Ed: drones have changed the face of war, and not for the better. But, then, war rarely changes for the better.] From Scheer Post: “I Am a Jew”: Jeffrey Wernick’s Moral Reckoning With Netanyahu’s Israel. "Invoking the words of Jewish prophets, Ahad Ha’am, Martin Buber, Albert Einstein, and Hannah Arendt, Jeffrey Wernick delivers a blistering moral indictment of the Israeli state’s transformation from refuge to domination — and warns that silence in the face of injustice is complicity. [Ed: a must read. Transcript of the YouTube included.] From Al Jazeera: France bans far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir over abuse of activists

From singularity hub: Data Centers Now Consume 6% of US Electricity—and the Backlash Has Begun. "Strong opposition kicks in when data center demand surpasses 5% of a country's power supply."

Privacy. From KFOR News 4: Disney sued over facial recognition at parks. From Clean Technica: Mozilla Foundation Condemns Data Collection By Cars

From International Economic Law and Policy Blog: Guest Post: The Role of GATT Article XII in Interpreting and Applying Section 122. [Ed: article argues that the statutory provision used recent tariffs does not, in fact, support those tariffs.]

Everyday Finances. From the Epoch Times: Zombie Home Foreclosure Numbers Increase In 38 US States. Georgia had the largest quarterly increase in such properties, followed by North Carolina and Indiana. From Mish Talk: Memorial Day Weekend Gas Prices Hit a Four-Year High, and Headed Up. [Ed: if there is an Iran deal and the Strait opens up, then this price will go down.]

From Reason: Abigail Spanberger Vetoes Mandatory Collective Bargaining, Defying Virginia Unions. The surprising move saves taxpayers from a steep bill—for now.

Redistricting, From AP News: Democrats vow a redistricting counterpunch but are facing hurdles Republicans don’t. From the State: SC Senate pushes redistricting debate to after start of in-person early voting. [Ed: SC is hardly alone in rushing toward redistricting ASAP.]

From Dogman Ray: Just another rescue?

Iran. From Moon of Alabama: War On Iran: – Pushing The Can Down The Road (Again)? [Ed: Trump knows he must get out of this war well before the midterms.] From Zero Hedge: Rubio Hints At US-Iran News "Later Today" As Talks To Reopen Hormuz Gain Steam. [Ed: Later today referred to Sunday.] From Mish Talk: Trump Announces an Iran Deal that Appears to Be a Complete Capitulation. [Ed: this is my read.] From the New York Post: Iran agrees to give up ‘nuclear dust’ stockpile in deal with Trump: report

Increasing Calls for Violence. From Campus Reform: Hakeem Jeffries’ brother invokes John Brown's violence while discussing white supremacy 'in the White House'. Hasan Kwame Jeffries promotes John Brown’s philosophy of violence against white supremacy. [Ed: Dems now want violence, and they are not subtle about doing so.] From the Washington Examiner: Democrats don’t want to talk about their growing terrorist-supporting wing

From the Victory Girls Blog: Jeffries Tries to Define What is/is not Acceptable anti-Semitism in Democrat Party

From Doog Lovers: The Surprising Moment a Stray Puppy Found Refuge in a Nativity Scene

AI. From Phys.org: New AI system uses cameras and thermal sensors to steer ships clear of gray whales in the San Francisco Bay. From Futurism: Barnes and Noble CEO Says Sure, Why Not Sell AI-Generated Books and Set Our Reputation On Fire? "I have actually no problem selling any book."

From Zero Hedge: Newsom Declares Emergency In Orange County; EPA Head Says Chemical Tank Will "Likely Fail". “We’re being told that the tank will fail, but there are different scenarios as to what that means, the most catastrophic scenario being an explosion that results in other tanks to explode..."