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Several years ago, I started a birthday tradition of taking either a day trip or a vacation. In 2017, it was a day trip to the Peabody Essex Museum for their Ocean Liners: Glamour, Speed and Style exhibition. Last year, I went to Ticonderoga, NY, for a few days to visit, among other things, the Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour. But for my birthday this year, I decided to visit Washington, D.C., for nearly a week. Although I have been to D.C. a few times on business, I never really had the chance to explore the city during those trips, except for a quick afternoon walk around the National Mall. That changed last week.

Although I considered flying, I decided to drive because I’ve always wanted to visit the WWII battleship USS New Jersey. After a slightly over four-hour drive, I arrived at the Iowa-class battleship. Having previously visited the USS Iowa in Los Angeles, I found the New Jersey no less impressive. As the most decorated of all the Iowa-class ships, the New Jersey’s tour reflected the pride of those who work on and visit her.

The following day, I arrived by the Metro’s Red Line in Washington, D.C., and walked down to the National Mall. I had forgotten how majestic the city is. It doesn’t matter what your political views are; it’s the city’s design and grandeur that engulfs you. With the United States Capitol on one side and the Washington Monument on the other, the city invites exploration.

My first museum visit was to the storied National Gallery of Art. Its outstanding collection spans the Middle Ages to the present and encompasses two buildings—the neoclassical original and a contemporary one designed by I.M. Pei. The sculpture garden is also a delight. There are so many wonderful exhibitions and works of art on display that it’s hard to pick a favorite. I did, however, love Thomas Cole’s The Voyage of Life. If you love museums, the National Gallery will take most of the day.

The next day started with a VIP tour of the United States Capitol by a staff member of my state congressional representative. From the spacious visitor center and Exhibition Hall, the tour traveled from the original entrance, Senate, and Supreme Court to the wondrous Capitol Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. The tour concluded with a visit to the House of Representatives Chamber (no cameras/cell phones were allowed). As all points in Washington, D.C. radiate from this point geographically and politically, it is here that you literally feel our republic in action.

From an architectural standpoint alone, the Library of Congress is well worth a visit. The Main Reading Room would compel even the most reluctant reader to pick up a book. I particularly enjoyed the Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution exhibition. The exhibition contrasts two living legends who lived at the same time – George Washington and King George III.

Needless to say, a visit to the top of the Washington Monument reveals breathtaking views of D.C. From there, a visit to the solemnity of the World War II Memorial, followed by the Lincoln Memorial, was in order. One can’t help but be reflective and thankful when viewing President Abraham Lincoln’s statue. If it were not for Lincoln, there would not be a United States of America. Although I had to memorize the Gettysburg Address in grade school, the following excerpt from his speech, written over 150 years ago, still resonates today, “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” I know we can.

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” As an American citizen (and for all those who aspire to be), that singular sentence in the Declaration of Independence forms the bedrock of this country. My visit to the National Archives the next day to view the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was rightly an emotional one. For it was the authorship, execution, and adherence to these documents that established the United States. While it’s easy to take what we have here for granted if you’ve never traveled outside the country, I, for one, am both happy and thankful to see the sign “Welcome to the United States” when I return from an international trip.

For those who follow me on social media or know me personally, you know I love the world of James Bond. Therefore, a visit to the International Spy Museum was a must! When you first enter the lobby, you are greeted by the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger. That certainly gets you in the mood for spying! But this museum is much more than Bond. It takes you into the world of covert intelligence agencies around the world, with their stories, gadgets, and missions. The museum does an excellent job of covering spy networks in the OAS (precursor to the CIA) from WWII through the Cold War decades, and it features riveting exhibitions that test your abilities as a spy. Although I was there for 3.5 hours, I easily could have spent the majority of the day.

With my passion for NASA, space exploration, and all things aviation, day four was my visit to the National Air and Space Museum. Although I had previously visited the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia near Dulles International Airport, I had yet to visit the museum’s location on the Mall. As you enter the lobby, you’re greeted by the Friendship 7 space capsule that carried John Glenn—the first American to orbit Earth—to space. Just next to the capsule is the unflown Lunar Module from the Apollo era. You don’t need to walk far from the Lunar Module to see the iconic model of the Starship Enterprise from the 1960s TV series Star Trek. When you juxtapose the original Wright Flyer with the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, in the same building, you can’t help but be in awe of what mankind can accomplish. In less than a century, we went from flying 120 feet at just over 6 miles per hour to landing a man on the Moon. In a museum like this, you can imagine what’s possible in the next 100 years.

My vacation to Washington, D.C. concluded the next day with a visit to the National Zoo. Having grown up on a farm, I became very familiar with a variety of animals. But certainly, the variety I lived with didn’t compare to what this magnificent zoo offered! From Giant Pandas, Asian elephants, Andean Bears, Brown Pelicans, and Siberian Tigers to over 2,000 other animals, the National Zoo has something for everyone. I particularly loved seeing the Beavers. When we lived on our farm, a family of Beavers turned our small brook into a large lake!

While my vacation to our nation’s capital may have come to an end, I left with a renewed appreciation for my country. While the Capitol represents our government, it is the museums that embody the very essence of the country. From history to art to science and all their interrelated fields, one leaves Washington, D.C., knowing more than when they arrived. The uniqueness of the United States should never be taken for granted. As the United States will soon celebrate its 250th anniversary, the founding fathers would be proud that, because of three words in the Constitution, the United States has withstood tyranny and triumphed, resulting in American exceptionalism. 

“We the People”

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 138

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 How To Get The Strongest And Most Optimized Spaceship Crew In Starfield – This year, Bethesda launched several important updates to make their 2023 science fiction role-playing game Starfield better and they also offered new DLC for those who crave for new content. One of the more defining aspects of the game is space travel and this includes setting up your own crew for your spaceship and there is impact on its functions and capabilities. If you want to learn how to get the stronger and most optimized crew for your ship, I encourage you watch the video below.

https://youtu.be/vy8iOx7eqVU?si=gn7W1mZxTOQ4SSrd

#2 Mari Iijima And The Defining Song of Macross: Do You Remember Love? – I really love watching the 1984 anime feature film Macross: Do You Remember Love? Apart from the great animation, the spectacle, the memorable characters and the solid storytelling, the movie also has a great soundtrack made to delight the long-time Macross fans. Still, the movie has its very own song performed by none other than Mari Iijima (Minmay) and it is a classic among Macross fans. In the videos below, you will see Mari Iijima perform the song live in a 1980s TV broadcast and the song playing with selected footage of Macross: Do You Remember Love? Enjoy these!

https://youtu.be/OfuW_Wbt73c?si=Q1DE8eJxo4Zk90pc

https://youtu.be/uJBMYV9e1Nc?si=veDGYU4r7s0flQ_H

#3 The Tuna City In Japan Is Changing With Tourism In Mind – If you plan to visit Japan at all, you might want to discover Miura City located in Kanagawa Prefecture. Miura City is famous for its fresh tuna and in recent times there has been a series of changes as several room-only hotels and new trends have sprouted as the locality is finding new ways to turn visitors into overnight guests. This is a place I would like to visit someday if ever I get the opportunity to return to Japan. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

https://youtu.be/fUPP30fYH78?si=MrC6Dml3IRVe7fcV

#4 Women’s Rights Activist Marries Islamist And Things Went Wrong – Did you notice that there is a gradual rising number of feminists and women’s rights activists who not embrace Islam (wicked and ugly) but also marry Islamists believing that things will be alright and they can just continue their activism. Of course, many of them activists and feminists do not fully understand Islam nor the full content of the Quran. As such, when things go very wrong, they are get into deep trouble. Watch and learn from the video below.

https://youtu.be/bx3YvoyP6cw?si=omxqhyR8CQfpfhYK

#5 Islamists Violate Hindu Women In India And Get Arrested – Let’s be very clear here. Islamists are oriented to conquer others even though they may not be numerous within a locality. Believe it or not, a group of such people who wielded power inside a business violated the Hindu women (plus at least one male employee) with regards to cultural norms and doing things that go against their faith. Even forced religious conversion happened. Watch and learn from the video below.

https://youtu.be/9xjFS-3Vuws?si=xuDIivIonrp9tQux

#6 Meatballs Reaction And Retrospective – When it comes to cinematic comedy, Bill Murray is iconic and his early work in 1979’s Meatballs already involved the late Harold Ramis and the late director Ivan Reitman. That said, there is something about Meatballs – produced for less than $2 million – that helped it achieve tremendous commercial success with ticket sales of $70 million. Remember, three of the creative minds behind the classic Ghostbusters are involved in this old movie and you will see how You, Me and The Movies react to it in the video below. Be aware that as of this writing, there are not too many movie reaction videos about Meatballs on YouTube. Also posted below is an in-depth retrospective about Meatballs by GoodBadFlicks.

https://youtu.be/nhR9xUCvpAI?si=Zh6gjAX0SdIrtSfT

https://youtu.be/D0BS-K3K_vE?si=HtyR_VThLUKv0Wj6

#7 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To The Thin Man – Have you ever heard of The Thin Man? It’s not a UFO reference. It’s the 1934 American pre-Code comedy-mystery movie that was eventually named to the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress having been deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 1997. Apart from its reputation in American film history, The Thin Man also resulted in five sequels. If you want to discover the 1934 movie but you don’t have the time nor resources to watch the movie, watch Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video and see how it impacts her.

https://youtu.be/IJRQXuw–20?si=mSYY7_Eb4EK6reBY

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National Film Registry Adds ‘Karate Kid’, ‘Glory’, ‘Clueless’, ‘The Incredibles’, ‘Inception’, ‘Philadelphia’ & More In Latest Class
#News #Clueless #LibraryofCongress #NationalFilmRegistry #TheGrandBudapestHotel #TheKarateKid

https://deadline.com/2026/01/national-film-registry-2025-karate-kid-clueless-inception-1236697189/

Trump’s sweeping 2020 election pardon raises alarms ahead of the midterms – Politico

Trump’s sweeping 2020 election pardon raises alarms ahead of the midterms

The language in the pardon also underscores that Trump’s clemency is not limited to people named in the document.

By Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein, 11/10/2025 07:21 PM EST

President Donald Trump’s adversaries say his sweeping pardon for dozens of alleged co-conspirators in the plot to subvert the 2020 election sent an unmistakable signal: If you do it again, I’ll protect you.

The extraordinarily broad pardon, signed Friday but revealed Sunday night, has little substantive effect for its recipients. Trump can pardon only federal crimes, and his administration had already pulled the plug on any lingering investigations stemming from the 2020 election. Some of the clemency recipients are still facing state-level criminal charges in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin — though some Trump allies argue the pardons could derail those cases.

The mass pardon — the first in history to cover people accused of criminally conspiring with the president who issued it — comes as Trump continues to stoke false claims about rampant cheating by Democrats and sow doubts about the integrity of future elections. And his opponents see the pardon as a permission slip for similar efforts in 2026 and 2028.

“Trump is sending a message to his supporters that if you commit a crime in the name of Donald Trump, I’ve got your back,” said Liz Oyer, the former U.S. pardon attorney, whose successor Ed Martin announced the sweeping clemency on X and released a 15-page statement explaining the move.

Oyer said the pardon was written so broadly that it could apply to countless people who aided Trump’s effort to stay in power despite losing the 2020 election — and the vaguely worded document permits Martin and other Justice Department officials to decide for themselves who receives a pardon certificate.

“That’s just not how pardon paperwork is written,” Oyer said.

The move also appeared to be a way for Trump to test the well-settled boundaries of the pardon power itself, with allies like Martin and election attorney Cleta Mitchell suggesting it should cause the pending state cases to crumble. The pair argue that the presidential pardon could cover state-law crimes because the purported electors were engaged in activity related to a federal election, though legal scholars say that rationale is a stretch. A spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Trump’s pardon would not influence her handling of the case there, which has remained in limbo as she fights a judge’s ruling that the grand jury process was flawed.

Mayes’ office charged 18 of Trump’s allies last spring for their efforts to subvert the 2020 election and labeled Trump an unindicted co-conspirator. Mayes brought her case last year, several months after Fulton County prosecutors in Georgia charged Trump himself with orchestrating a conspiracy to corrupt the state’s election results. State prosecutors in Nevada and Wisconsin have charged people connected to Trump’s alleged conspiracy. All of the cases remain pending, though they’ve been mired in varying degrees of dysfunction and protracted litigation.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Trump’s sweeping 2020 election pardon raises alarms ahead of the midterms – POLITICO

#2020ElectionPardons #2025 #America #DonaldTrump #Health #History #January6AttackOnUSCapitol #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #Opinion #Pardons #Politico #Politics #Resistance #Trump #TrumpAdministration #TrumpPardons #UnitedStates

How Trump Upended 60 Years of Civil Rights – The New York Times

How Trump Upended 60 Years of Civil Rights

The White House’s assault on federal protections may bring about a new era of unchecked discrimination.

Get the Transcript: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/podcasts/trump-civil-rights-dei.html?showTranscript=1

Continue/Read Original Article Here: How Trump Upended 60 Years of Civil Rights – The New York Times

#2025 #America #AmericansRights #Books #CivilRights #CNN #DonaldTrump #Education #Health #History #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #NationalPublicRadio #Opinion #Politics #Reading #Resistance #RuleOfLaw #Science #Technology #TheNewYorkTimes #Trump #TrumpAdministration #TrumpDestroys #USConstitution #UnitedStates #VotingRightsAct #YouTube

Jack Smith Speaks – Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance

Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance

Jack Smith Speaks

By Joyce Vance, Oct 14, 2025

You have choices about where you get your news and analysis. I’m grateful you’ve chosen to read Civil Discourse. If you value clear, independent insight into the law and our democracy, I hope you’ll consider a paid subscription. Your support makes the newsletter possible. Thank you for being here with me.

ABC reported today that the House Judiciary Committee wants to have former special counsel Jack Smith testify—behind closed doors—about investigating the Mar-a-Lago, January 6, and Donald Trump. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who chairs the Committee, wants an interview by October 28. He is calling for Smith to turn over documents and communications too.

Why now? Last week, there was reporting (very unsurprising to anyone who has ever investigated a federal case) that Smith’s probe obtained phone records regarding a number of Republican lawmakers as part of the January 6 case investigation. Jordan wrote to Smith, “As the Committee continues its oversight, your testimony is necessary to understand the full extent to which the Biden-Harris Justice Department weaponized federal law enforcement.”

Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri complained that “The F.B.I. tapped my phone.” He said he’d been wiretapped.

Not so fast, though. Obtaining phone records means getting call information—that can mean which phone number called which other phone number, when, and possibly, how long the call lasted. It’s easy to understand why prosecutors would want that information in virtually any case they’re investigating.

Here, given reports that Trump had numerous calls leading up to and on January 6 (for instance, one with brand new Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville), it would be surprising if they hadn’t done so. The New York Times reported that “The calls were scrutinized because at the time, prosecutors were trying to identify relevant communications between the president and his inner circle with members of Congress on the key days surrounding the violence.”

Call information, which frequently produces investigative leads, is acquired routinely by investigators. But it is not the same thing as a wiretap, which lets law enforcement listen in on a target’s phone calls. To get a wiretap, prosecutors and agents have to get an order from a federal judge in compliance with the strict requirements of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. They have to establish probable cause and show that less intrusive investigative methods were tried and failed. A wiretap only lasts for 30 days, and prosecutors must go back to the judge, with fresh proof, in order to reup the wiretap for an additional 30 days.

Jordan’s allegation that this is the weaponization of the DOJ should fall on deaf ears. Jack Smith was investigating one of the most serious situations our country has ever faced—an effort to interfere with the smooth transfer of power between two American administrations, with involvement by the outgoing president who had lost the election—using routine investigative techniques. Jordan and other Republicans should be able to differentiate between that and wiretaps, since these are statutory creatures and Congress sets the requirements for when they can be used.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Jack Smith Speaks – Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance

#2025 #America #CivilDiscourse #DonaldTrump #Education #GOP #Health #History #JackSmith #January6AttackOnUSCapitol #JoyceVance #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #Opinion #Politics #Resistance #RuleOfLaw #Science #Substack #Trump #TrumpAdministration #TrumpPoliticalEnemy #UnitedStates

Letters from an American – October 13, 2025 – Heather Cox Richardson

Letters from an American, October 13, 2025

By Heather Cox Richardson, Oct 13, 2025

Last Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump showed to Canadian officials a plan for a triumphal arch that would sit on the banks of the Potomac River opposite the Lincoln Memorial in a traffic rotary at the Virginia end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge below Arlington National Cemetery. The idea, apparently, is to build the arch to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in July 2026.

On Thursday, the White House press pool reported, the plan was laid out on Trump’s desk in the Oval Office. The massive stone arch appears to be the same height as or taller than the Lincoln Memorial. Early in the morning on Saturday, October 11, Trump posted on social media an artist’s rendering of what such an arch might look like, complete with what appears to be a gold winged victory statue at the top of the arch.

Triumphal arches are free-standing structures consisting of one or more arches crowned with a flat top for engravings or statues. They hark back to ancient Rome, where leaders built them to commemorate military victories or significant public events. Those arches inspired others, like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, built to honor those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Observers immediately noted that the photographed plan showed the Lincoln Memorial facing the wrong way, and compared the Trump Arch both to the Arc de Triomphe and to another arch modeled on it: the German Arch of Triumph proposed by Adolph Hitler to commemorate Germany’s victory in World War II.

That triumphal arch was never built.

Architect Eric Jenkins told Daniel Jonas Roche of The Architect’s Newspaper that the proposed arch would disrupt the symbolic connection between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The two are connected not only by the Arlington Memorial Bridge, but also by the Civil War. During that war, the nation began to bury its hallowed dead on the grounds of the former home of General Robert E. Lee, who led the troops of the Confederacy. Lee’s Arlington House sits directly behind the memorial to Lincoln, who led the United States to stop the Confederates from dismantling the nation.

The proposed construction of a triumphal arch contrasts with the expected sale and probable demolition of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1940, the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building was built to house the Social Security Board, the precursor to the Social Security Administration.

In August 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. That law established a federal system of old-age benefits; unemployment insurance; aid to homeless, dependent, and neglected children; funds to promote maternal and child welfare; and public health services. It was a sweeping reworking of the relationship between the government and its citizens, using the power of taxation to pool funds to provide a basic social safety net.

The vision of government behind the Social Security Act was very different from that of the Republicans who had run it in the 1920s. While men like President Herbert Hoover had embraced the idea of a “rugged individualism” in which men provided for their families on their own, those behind the Social Security Act recognized that the vision of a hardworking man supporting his wife and children was more myth than reality. They replaced that vision with one in which the government recognized that all Americans were equally valuable.

Their reworking of American government came from the conditions of the United States after the rise of modern industry. Americans had always depended on community, but the harsh conditions of industrialization in the late nineteenth century had made it clear that the government must protect that community. City governments like New York City’s Tammany Hall began to provide a basic system of social welfare for voters, making sure that they had jobs, food, and shelter and that women and children had a support network if a husband or father died.

Editor’s Note: Please subscribe if you can. Heather provides insights into the legal fiasco, Trump, legal challenges, and more.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: October 13, 2025 – by Heather Cox Richardson

#2025 #250AnniversityAmerica #America #ArcDeTriomphe #DonaldTrump #Education #Health #HeatherCoxRichardson #History #LettersFromAnAmerican #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #Opinion #Politics #Resistance #Science #Substack #triumphalArch #Trump #TrumpAdministration #UnitedStates #WashingtonDC

October 2025 U.S. Midterms Update: Politics, Economy, Shutdown Impact, Fundraising, Redistricting, and Key Races – An UPDATE Report

October 2025 U.S. Midterms Update: Politics, Economy, Shutdown Impact, Fundraising, Redistricting, and Key Races

Political Landscape and Approval Ratings

As of early October 2025, President Trump’s job approval remains steady in the low 40s percentile, with disapproval rates in the mid-50s. Despite the recent government shutdown turmoil, his core support remains loyal, reflecting stable but polarized public opinion. Polling aggregators like RealClearPolitics and the New York Times report a narrow approval range between 39% and 44% over the past several months (RealClearPolitics; New York Times).

This contrasts with broad voter dissatisfaction: a YouGov/Economist poll found 59% believe the country is on the wrong track, while 60% disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation. Only 26% rate the economy positively. The shutdown and healthcare funding debates risk impacting Trump’s midterm prospects but early trends suggest limited shifts in overall sentiment (YouGov; NPR).

Government Shutdown Fallout

The federal government shutdown began October 1, 2025, after Senate failure to pass funding bills. Approximately 750,000 federal workers face furloughs, and active-duty military pay is affected (CNN Politics; Government Executive).

Key impacts include:

• Reduced national park services raise visitor safety concerns (BBC Travel).
• Social Security and Veterans benefits continue, but new claims processing is delayed (SSA.gov).
• Airport operations face staffing challenges affecting efficiency (NBC News).
• NIH research grants and FOIA requests are on hold (Latham & Watkins).

With partisan stalemates ongoing, messaging battles over the shutdown’s blame are influencing voter perceptions (Politico).

Early Primary Results and Fundraising Reports

Preliminary 2025 special and local election results hint at emerging voter enthusiasm patterns. Fundraising reports through Q3 show Republicans holding a narrow cash advantage overall, although Democratic challengers in key swing districts have posted notable gains. This financial landscape suggests intensifying resource battles ahead of critical nomination contests (270toWin; Sabato’s Crystal Ball).

Legal Challenges and Redistricting Fallout

Ongoing legal disputes over congressional maps affect campaign strategies nationwide. California’s Proposition 50, aiming to create an independent commission to redraw districts, could favor Democrats by reshaping competitive seats. Lawsuits challenging districting plans in Texas and North Carolina add uncertainty, with court outcomes potentially reshaping the 2026 electoral terrain (270toWin; Politico).

Congressional Midterm Outlook

Senate: Democrats face a tough map, needing to swing four seats to gain control. Key battlegrounds like Pennsylvania and Georgia remain highly competitive, with forecasts maintaining a slim Republican edge (270toWin; Cook Political Report).

House: Republicans currently have a moderate edge in retaining the House majority, but redistricting battles such as Proposition 50 introduce uncertainty. Candidate filings and retirements will influence the competitive landscape as campaigns intensify (270toWin; Sabato’s Crystal Ball).

Economic and Social Issues

Inflation and cost-of-living pressures remain top voter concerns, with pessimism on economic growth widespread. The government shutdown heightens doubts about federal government competence and service reliability, likely influencing turnout and party enthusiasm. Social polarization persists around immigration, healthcare, and governance, framing party messaging battles (White House Research; Pew Research Center; Notus.org).

Key Races and Ballot Measures

• California’s Proposition 50 — a key ballot measure aiming to create nonpartisan districting — could shift several House districts in Democrats’ favor (270toWin).
• Highly contested Senate races in swing states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia remain closely watched (Cook Political Report).
• Ongoing primary battles and fundraising developments will shape narratives and resource allocations ahead of 2026 (Sabato’s Crystal Ball).

Charts

Trump Job Approval (2025 Year-to-Date)

Odds for Party Control After 2026 Midterm Elections

Bibliography

• 270toWin. October 7, 2025. “2026 Senate Election Forecast Maps.” https://www.270towin.com/2026-senate-election-predictions/
• BBC Travel. October 3, 2025. “How the US Government Shutdown Can Impact Travel.” https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251003-how-the-government-shutdown-can-impact-travel
• Cook Political Report. October 7, 2025. “2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings.” https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings
• CNN Politics. October 7, 2025. “Live Updates: The Latest on the Government Shutdown.” https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/government-shutdown-news-10-06-25
• Government Executive. October 5, 2025. “More Employees Set to Receive Furlough Notices as Shutdown Drags On.” https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/10/more-employees-set-receive-furlough-notices-shutdown-drags/408629/
• Latham & Watkins. October 5, 2025. “The 2025 US Government Shutdown: What It Means for Federal Litigation.” https://www.lathamreg.com/2025/10/the-2025-us-government-shutdown-what-it-means-for-federal-litigation/
• New York Times. October 7, 2025. “Trump Job Approval Average.” https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls.html
• NPR. October 6, 2025. “The Federal Government Is Shut Down. Here’s What That Means Across the Country.” https://www.npr.org/2025/10/06/g-s1-92192/government-shutdown
• Notus.org. October 6, 2025. “Republicans and Democrats: Immigration, Health Care, Messaging & Shutdown.” https://www.notus.org/congress/republicans-democrats-immigration-health-care-messaging-shutdown
• Pew Research Center. August 13, 2025. “Trump’s Job Approval and Views of His Personal Traits.” https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/08/14/trumps-job-approval-and-views-of-his-personal-traits/
• Politico. October 1, 2025. “Republicans and Democrats Ready Their Shutdown Blame Strategies.” https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-blame-strategies-00589373
• RealClearPolitics. October 5, 2025. “President Trump Job Approval.” https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/donald-trump/approval-rating
• SSA.gov. September 30, 2025. “What the Federal Government Shutdown Means to Your Clients.” https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/advocates/2025-10-01.html
• White House Research. October 2, 2025. “Economic Consequences of a Government Shutdown.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/research/2025/10/economic-consequences-of-a-government-shutdown/
• Sabato’s Crystal Ball. October 7, 2025. “2026 House Ratings.” https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-house/
• Sabato’s Crystal Ball. October 7, 2025. “2026 Senate Ratings.” https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-senate/

#2025 #America #DonaldTrump #DrWeb #DrWebSDomain #Education #Health #History #Libraries #LibraryOfCongress #Midterms2026 #MonthlyElectionReport #November2026 #Opinion #PerplexityAI #Politics #Resistance #Science #Technology #Trump #TrumpAdministration

How and Why Did Democrats Say They Chose Shutdown over Trump – October 5, 2025 – A Special Report

Special Report: Democrats, the 2025 Shutdown, and Trump’s Embrace of Project 2025

By DrWeb — October 5, 2025

DrWeb’s view in context and the thrust of the decision by Democratic leaders during the 2025 Federal Shutdown. This report examines how the Democratic strategy unfolded, the stakes of the standoff, and how former President Donald Trump is now openly embracing the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 as the blueprint for his second term. The adoption of this plan, once denied during the campaign, is reshaping the contours of the shutdown fight and raising questions about the balance of power.

Overview & Stakes

As the shutdown entered October, Democrats framed it as both a test of political resolve and a defense of core healthcare and social programs. They argue that Republicans, under Trump’s renewed influence, are using the budget process as a wedge to force acceptance of Project 2025’s sweeping proposals: mass layoffs, dismantling of federal agencies, and consolidation of executive power.

The stakes are immediate and long-term. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers face lost pay. Public services from healthcare research to postal delivery are curtailed. At the same time, the ideological battle now centers on whether Trump can leverage the crisis to sidestep Congress and implement a 900-page partisan blueprint outside normal democratic checks.

Key Quotes & Excerpts (Chronological)

“The shutdown pain would be ‘caused by the Democrats.’”

Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/25/trump-shutdown-pain-blame-democrats-00580824

“The shutdown is being wielded not just as a bargaining chip but as a lever to rewire the federal government.”

Time. https://time.com/7323278/trump-project-2025-government-shutdown/

“National parks will remain mostly open in shutdown.”

Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/national-parks-will-remain-mostly-open-in-shutdown-main-00589074

“About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay, impacting HHS, CDC, and NIH.”

LMT Online. https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/cuellar-federal-workers-solidarity-paycheck-forgo-21081996.php

“Welcome to the shutdown.”

Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/01/welcome-shutdown/

“Trump is no longer distancing himself from Project 2025. He is now staffing his administration with its architects.”

AP News. https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-russ-vought-shutdown-2d1ea5e6e32c583ddf6b8a8164e523c3

“Mass federal layoffs could begin imminently, leveraging the shutdown to impose reductions in force.”

Time. https://time.com/7323278/trump-project-2025-government-shutdown/

“Trump marked the Navy’s 250th anniversary during the shutdown, declaring: THE SHOW MUST GO ON!”

AP News. https://apnews.com/article/926e1f114b704bc069dd9ad8fff449e0

“Trump now openly backing Project 2025 during government shutdown.”

AP News. https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-russ-vought-shutdown-2d1ea5e6e32c583ddf6b8a8164e523c3

“The GOP says it’s winning the shutdown. Some fear Trump’s cuts may change that.”

AP News. https://apnews.com/article/republicans-trump-vought-shutdown-congress-democrats-transportation-0dff71ebe4f115feb8649a045646cb5c

“Trump Administration Halts $2.1 billion in Chicago Infrastructure Projects Amid Government Shutdown.”

Time. https://time.com/7322946/trump-administration-funding-cuts-democratic-cities-government-shutdown/

“Slash and burn: Trump budget chief relishes chance to cut, fire and cancel.”

The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/02/trump-russ-vought-government-shutdown

“Why this shutdown is different and what Trump is getting out of it.”

PBS / Washington Week. https://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/video/2025/10/why-this-shutdown-is-different-and-what-trump-is-getting-out-of-it

“Trump’s vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill.”

AP News. https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-congress-budget-project-2025-abba67746a7c74c88962def177759b44

“House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted it was Democrats blocking funding, while Democrats accused Trump of sabotaging negotiations.”

The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/05/mike-johnson-democrats-government-shutdown

“Democrats are embracing the risky politics of a government shutdown to rein in president, activists say.”

The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/05/democrats-healthcare-government-shutdown

“White House: Mass layoffs will start if shutdown talks ‘going nowhere.’”

Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-says-layoffs-will-start-if-trump-sees-shutdown-talks-going-nowhere-2025-10-05/

Analysis

Democrats’ strategy has been to draw a sharp line against Project 2025, framing it as an existential threat to constitutional checks and balances. Yet some critics say Democrats are risking political backlash by embracing a shutdown.

Trump’s use of the shutdown to advance layoffs and executive consolidation shows how a budget impasse can morph into a constitutional stress test. With Russell Vought at the center, the administration is turning Heritage’s proposals into operational reality — while Democratic leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Adam Schiff try to keep their caucus united.

Works Cited

• Associated Press. “Trump no longer distancing himself from Project 2025 as he uses shutdown to further pursue its goals.” AP News, 2 Oct. 2025. https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-russ-vought-shutdown-2d1ea5e6e32c583ddf6b8a8164e523c3
• Associated Press. “Trump celebrates the Navy’s 250th anniversary in the midst of the shutdown.” AP News, 3 Oct. 2025. https://apnews.com/article/926e1f114b704bc069dd9ad8fff449e0
• “Democrats are embracing the risky politics of a government shutdown to rein in president, activists say.” The Guardian, 5 Oct. 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/05/democrats-healthcare-government-shutdown
• “House speaker says Democrats aren’t serious about shutdown negotiation …” The Guardian, 5 Oct. 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/05/mike-johnson-democrats-government-shutdown
• Cuellar, Henry. “Cuellar forgoes salary during government shutdown …” LMT Online, 1 Oct. 2025. https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/cuellar-federal-workers-solidarity-paycheck-forgo-21081996.php
• “Trump Touts Meeting With Vought to Discuss Cuts …” Time, 2 Oct. 2025. https://time.com/7323278/trump-project-2025-government-shutdown/
• “Trump Administration Halts $2.1 billion in Chicago Infrastructure Projects Amid Government Shutdown.” Time, 3 Oct. 2025. https://time.com/7322946/trump-administration-funding-cuts-democratic-cities-government-shutdown/
• “Slash and burn: Trump budget chief relishes chance to cut, fire and cancel.” The Guardian, 3 Oct. 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/02/trump-russ-vought-government-shutdown
• “Why this shutdown is different and what Trump is getting out of it.” PBS / Washington Week, 4 Oct. 2025. https://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/video/2025/10/why-this-shutdown-is-different-and-what-trump-is-getting-out-of-it
• “Trump’s vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill.” AP News, 4 Oct. 2025. https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-congress-budget-project-2025-abba67746a7c74c88962def177759b44
• Politico. “Trump says shutdown pain would be Democrats’ fault.” 25 Sept. 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/25/trump-shutdown-pain-blame-democrats-00580824
• Politico. “National parks to stay open in shutdown.” 30 Sept. 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/national-parks-will-remain-mostly-open-in-shutdown-main-00589074
• Washington Post. “Welcome to the shutdown.” 1 Oct. 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/01/welcome-shutdown/
• AP News. “The GOP says it’s winning the shutdown. Some fear Trump’s cuts may change that.” 3 Oct. 2025. https://apnews.com/article/republicans-trump-vought-shutdown-congress-democrats-transportation-0dff71ebe4f115feb8649a045646cb5c
• Reuters. “White House: Mass layoffs will start if shutdown talks ‘going nowhere.’” 5 Oct. 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-says-layoffs-will-start-if-trump-sees-shutdown-talks-going-nowhere-2025-10-05/

#2025 #America #DonaldTrump #DrWeb #DrWebSDomain #Education #FederalShutdown #Health #History #Libraries #LibraryOfCongress #October2025 #Opinion #Politics #Resistance #Science #SpecialReport #Trump #TrumpAdministration #UnitedStates

Since Late September 2025: Events, Causes, Accountability, and How to Get Government Working Again – October 2, 2025 – Update Report

Editor’s Note: This report researched and produced by Perplexity Pro. I reviewed and edited the report. It is worth noting there is indeed some balance, as requested. I did not want to add to the “blame game,” though I mention it. –DrWeb

Since Late September 2025: Events, Causes, Accountability, and How to Get Government Working Again

What’s Happened Since Late September 2025

Shutdown begins and broad disruptions follow. Congress failed to pass a funding deal, triggering a federal shutdown that halted or curtailed services, furloughed large numbers of workers, and suspended some economic data releases. Straight-news rundowns detail what is open/closed and the operational impact across agencies (Reuters explainer). Early estimates warned of multi-billion-dollar weekly losses to GDP if the closure persisted (Guardian economic analysis).

Funding freezes weaponized during the standoff. The administration moved to freeze major tranches of federal funds largely aimed at Democratic-led states (e.g., transit and green-energy projects), escalating partisan leverage in the middle of the shutdown (Reuters). Separate reporting tracked the shutdown’s hit to specific programs such as WIC and related food aid if prolonged (Reuters).

Partisan messaging published on federal sites and comms. Multiple agencies posted banners or circulated templates explicitly blaming Democrats for the shutdown — prompting Hatch Act and anti-lobbying concerns from ethics experts. Examples include HUD’s prominent red-banner message and broader agency communications captured by reporters (Federal News Network; CBS News; Politico).

Separate security escalation: “armed conflict” framing vs. cartels. In parallel with shutdown tensions, the White House told Congress the U.S. is in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels following lethal boat strikes in the Caribbean — a position that immediately triggered legal-oversight questions and War Powers scrutiny (Reuters; AP). (This matters for Congress’s role below.)

Causes & the Blame Game

Legislative brinkmanship over substance. The proximate cause is failure to pass regular appropriations or a workable continuing resolution; underneath that are hard-line demands that lacked the votes for a bipartisan deal. Reporting on House/Senate dynamics shows why rival short-term bills failed and how partisan positioning crowded out compromise (Reuters live updates).

Executive amplification of conflict. The funding freeze announcements, aggressive rhetoric, and politicized agency messaging during the shutdown pushed confrontation over coalition-building — increasing the political cost for moderates to cross the aisle (Reuters; Politico).

Information environment and public confusion. Partisan claims flooded official channels and social media — including banner statements on .gov sites — blurring lines between public information and political messaging. Ethics experts flagged potential legal issues (Hatch Act, Anti-Lobbying Act), underscoring how the communication war compounded the budget war (CBS News; Federal News Network).

Who Can Intervene with the President — Real Mechanisms

Vice President + Cabinet (25th Amendment, Section 4). If the VP and a majority of principal officers judge the President “unable to discharge” duties, they can temporarily transfer power. It’s constitutionally grounded but politically explosive; it depends on insiders willing to act. Authoritative, plain-English texts explain the standard and process (National Constitution Center).

Congress: oversight, appropriations, and war powers. Congress can compel briefings, issue subpoenas, restrict funds via riders, and, where relevant, force votes under the War Powers Resolution’s expedited procedures. The WPR structure and “clocks” are summarized by nonpartisan analysts (CRS overview; PDF: CRS PDF).

Courts and internal legality systems. Courts can enjoin unlawful actions; inside the executive branch, OLC, agency counsel, inspectors general, and (in military contexts) law-of-war rules impose legal constraints that can slow, narrow, or block directives (War Powers Reporting Project (context)).

Five Workable Options to De-escalate and Restart Normal Governance

1) Force a War Powers vote on the cartel operations. Congress should trigger the WPR’s expedited procedures to require a clear authorization vote on the “armed conflict” posture against cartels. A public floor debate and recorded votes restore constitutional lines, impose reporting requirements, and anchor any use of force to statute — or terminate it if authorization fails (CRS).

This does not solve the shutdown directly, but it lowers temperature by re-channeling the most escalatory policy into a lawful process and signals to allies/adversaries that the U.S. is operating under institutional checks (Reuters; AP).

2) Attach targeted appropriations riders with enforceable teeth. In the next CR or omnibus, include narrowly tailored “no-funds-for-X” clauses (e.g., forbidding use of appropriations for partisan messaging on .gov, or for specific structural actions not authorized by law), plus mandatory reporting to GAO and deadlines for compliance.

Precision matters: riders must be specific, time-bound, and paired with oversight triggers; otherwise they invite evasion. Appropriations leverage is the fastest path to constrain behavior while unlocking votes to reopen the government (Reuters).

3) Fast-track litigation to enjoin clear legal violations. Affected parties (states, employees, contractors, NGOs) should seek emergency injunctions where actions conflict with statute (e.g., misuse of official resources for partisan messaging, unlawful fund freezes contrary to enacted law). Early injunctions prevent faits accomplis while merits are argued.

Coordinated venue strategy and plaintiffs with concrete standing increase speed and odds of relief; judicial intervention can remove the most inflammatory steps from the bargaining table so negotiators can focus on funding substance (Politico; CBS News).

4) Cabinet-level guardrails; if necessary, 25th Amendment process. Cabinet officials and White House counsel can insist on OLC review, document dissent, and refuse to sign unlawful directives. If incapacity is the core issue, the VP and a Cabinet majority can temporarily transfer powers under Section 4; even preparing the paperwork can deter extreme steps (Constitution Center).

Because this is politically nuclear, the more immediate and practical version is internal legal process: slow-rolling or narrowing directives that lack statutory basis, while Congress negotiates a funding off-ramp.

5) Bipartisan “off-ramp” package: clean CR + structured policy talks. Pair a time-limited clean continuing resolution (reopen government) with a locked calendar of bipartisan negotiations on the disputed policy asks (health, immigration, energy). Put non-negotiable guardrails in writing: no partisan banners on .gov; no unilateral funding freezes outside legal process.

To make this workable, center the deal on items both sides claim to want (e.g., targeted anti-fentanyl measures with due-process safeguards; infrastructure that benefits red/blue districts) and schedule public checkpoints. Reopening removes economic harm and gives Congress the political space to legislate in regular order (Reuters; Guardian).

Segment: “A total lie — shutdown talking point” (context clip)

Interview: Rep. Lloyd Doggett on the shutdown strategy (context clip)

Explainer: What could happen during a U.S. government shutdown (BBC context clip)

#2025 #AI #America #BBC #ChatGPT #CNN #DonaldTrump #DrWebSDomain #Education #Health #History #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #MSNBC #Opinion #Politics #Resistance #Science #Technology #Trump #TrumpAdministration #UnitedStates #YouTube

Freedom of Speech Around the World: A Global Analysis and the Jimmy Kimmel Case – DrWeb’s Domain Report

Freedom of Speech Around the World: A Global Analysis and the Jimmy Kimmel Case

Published on September 19, 2025, Prepared by Perplexity Pro, edited by DrWeb.

Introduction and Defining Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech represents a fundamental human right that varies significantly in protection across different countries and legal systems. Legal definitions provide the foundation for understanding this concept across three authoritative sources:

Cornell Law School defines freedom of speech as “the right to speak, write, and share ideas and opinions without facing punishment from the government.” This definition emphasizes the protection from government interference in expression.

The Law Dictionary characterizes it as “a guarantee of the 1st and 14th amendment giving people the right to speak without any restriction from the government.” This focuses specifically on constitutional protections within the American legal framework.

Merriam-Webster provides a broader definition: “the right to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content and subject only to reasonable limitations.” This definition acknowledges that some restrictions may apply under specific circumstances.

Global Freedom of Speech Rankings

Question: Where does the United States rank in Freedom of Speech?

Based on the Global State of Democracy Indices 2023, countries receive scores from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating stronger freedom of expression protections. The analysis reveals significant variations in how democratic nations protect speech rights.

Top 25 Countries with Strongest Freedom of Speech Protections

Notably, the United States ranks 28th with a score of 0.75, indicating room for improvement despite constitutional protections.

This ranking suggests that while the U.S. has strong theoretical protections, practical implementation may lag behind other democracies.

International Legal Framework

Freedom of speech receives recognition in international law through multiple mechanisms and judicial bodies that have developed influential standards for global application.

International Courts and Freedom of Speech Recognition

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) provides legally binding protections for member states, creating enforceable obligations beyond mere aspirational statements.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has developed influential standards through Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR consistently holds that criticism of government and politicians receives strong protection, and that criminal penalties for political speech violate proportionality requirements. These European standards have become widely influential in international law and have been adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee.

International legal advocacy organizations like the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) successfully use these international norms in domestic courts, arguing that restrictive national laws violate treaty obligations under the ICCPR. Recent cases in Algeria, Iraq, Tunisia, and Palestine have resulted in dismissed charges when courts recognized that criminal penalties for online expression violate international law.

Major U.S. Supreme Court First Amendment Decisions

The United States has developed extensive jurisprudence protecting freedom of speech through landmark Supreme Court decisions that have shaped modern understanding of expression rights.

Foundational Cases

Schenck v. United States (1919) established the “clear and present danger” test, with Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stating that speech could be restricted when “the words are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has the right to prevent.” The Court upheld convictions for distributing leaflets opposing military conscription during World War I.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) represents the most significant modern free speech precedent. The Supreme Court unanimously overturned Clarence Brandenburg’s conviction under Ohio’s Criminal Syndicalism statute for advocating racial strife at a KKK rally. The Court established that government cannot prohibit speech unless it is “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.” This decision created one of the most speech-protective legal tests worldwide.

Student Speech Rights

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) established that students “do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.” The Court protected students who wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, creating the foundational principle for student expression rights in educational settings.

Symbolic Speech Protection

Texas v. Johnson (1989) held that flag burning constitutes protected symbolic political speech. The Court concluded that “a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment is that Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.”

Wooley v. Maynard (1977) protected a Jehovah’s Witness who covered New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” motto on his license plate. The Court recognized both “the right to speak freely and the right to refrain from speaking at all,” establishing negative speech rights.

Recent Developments

Moody v. NetChoice, LLC (2024) addressed social media content moderation, ruling that the First Amendment protects platforms engaging in expressive activity when compiling and curating speech. The Court held that states cannot interfere with private actors’ speech to advance ideological balance.

National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo (2024) prohibited government officials from wielding power selectively to punish or suppress speech through private intermediaries, establishing important precedent regarding indirect government censorship.

Analysis of the Jimmy Kimmel ABC Suspension Case

Question: What’s your analysis of the current Jimmy Kimmel events regarding Freedom of Speech?

The recent suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” by ABC provides a contemporary case study in the complex intersection of government pressure, private broadcaster decision-making, and First Amendment protections. This incident illustrates how theoretical speech protections face practical challenges in the modern media landscape.

Background of the Controversy

On September 16, 2025, ABC indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following controversial comments the host made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel criticized the “MAGA gang” for attempting to politically exploit Kirk’s murder, suggesting they were “doing everything they can to score political points” from the tragedy. He also mocked former President Trump’s response to questions about Kirk’s death.

The suspension came after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks on a podcast, calling them “some of the sickest conduct possible” and threatening regulatory action with the warning “we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Major broadcast station owners Nexstar and Sinclair preemptively pulled the show from their ABC affiliates before the network announced the indefinite suspension.

First Amendment Analysis

This case presents a complex intersection of government pressure and private broadcaster decision-making that raises significant constitutional concerns. Under established First Amendment precedent, particularly Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), Kimmel’s political commentary clearly falls within protected speech categories as criticism of government figures and political movements.

The critical constitutional issue centers on whether government coercion violated the First Amendment’s prohibition on indirect speech suppression. As Professor Raleigh Levine of Mitchell Hamline School of Law explains, “The issue here is whether the government is using coercion or pressure to get private companies to do indirectly what it could not directly force them to do.” While private employers can typically discipline employees for speech, broadcast networks operating on public airwaves occupy a unique regulatory space.

The Supreme Court established in Bantam Books, Inc. v. Sullivan (1963) that government cannot use threats of punishment to coerce private entities into suppressing speech, even when direct censorship would be unconstitutional. FCC Chairman Carr’s explicit threats of regulatory consequences for failing to discipline Kimmel likely crossed this constitutional boundary.

Legal Precedent and Regulatory Framework

Broadcasters historically receive reduced First Amendment protections compared to other media, a doctrine criticized by constitutional scholars as creating “junior varsity First Amendment rights.” However, even under this diminished standard, political commentary remains strongly protected speech.

The FCC’s regulatory authority extends primarily to local station licensing rather than network content control. Carr’s threats appeared to leverage this licensing power to indirectly pressure content decisions, potentially exceeding statutory authority while violating constitutional boundaries.

Predicted Legal Outcomes

Question: What’s your predicted outcome now of the Jimmy Kimmel events?

Several potential legal challenges may emerge from this controversy:

First Amendment Litigation: Kimmel or advocacy organizations like the ACLU, which has already condemned the suspension as government suppression of opposing ideas, may file suit challenging the government coercion. Such cases would likely focus on proving that Carr’s threats constituted impermissible government pressure rather than permissible advocacy.

Congressional Oversight: The incident may prompt legislative hearings examining FCC overreach and the scope of regulatory authority over broadcast content. Questions about whether current broadcast regulation frameworks remain constitutionally viable in the modern media landscape could drive policy reforms.

Industry Response: The suspension’s chilling effect on other broadcasters and entertainers may generate broader resistance. Late-night hosts and Hollywood figures have already rallied to Kimmel’s defense, potentially creating sustained pressure for reinstatement.

Commercial Consequences: ABC faces significant advertising revenue losses, with “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” reportedly generating approximately $70 million annually from over 200 brands. Economic pressure may ultimately force the network to restore the program regardless of political considerations.

The most likely outcome involves eventual reinstatement of Kimmel’s show, possibly following legal settlement or policy clarification limiting FCC content oversight authority. This case may establish important precedent regarding the limits of government pressure on private media companies, particularly in the broadcast television context where regulatory relationships create unique constitutional vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

This comprehensive analysis demonstrates that while freedom of speech enjoys broad international recognition, implementation varies significantly across nations. The United States maintains strong constitutional protections through extensive Supreme Court jurisprudence, yet ranks below many other democracies in practical freedom of expression measures. The Jimmy Kimmel case illustrates ongoing tensions between government authority and speech protections, particularly in regulated industries like broadcasting.

The global landscape reveals that Nordic countries lead in practical freedom of expression, while international courts increasingly recognize speech rights as fundamental human rights. As media landscapes evolve and political tensions intensify, the balance between legitimate regulation and speech protection remains a critical challenge for democratic societies worldwide.

Bibliography and Sources

Legal Definitions

• Freedom of Speech – Cornell Law School
• Freedom of Speech Definition – The Law Dictionary
• Freedom of Speech Definition – Merriam-Webster

Global Rankings and Analysis

• Countries with Freedom of Speech 2025 – World Population Review
• Freedom of Expression Index, 2024 – Our World in Data
• Countries and Territories – Freedom House

International Law

• Using International Law to Defend Free Speech in the Information Age – Columbia Global Freedom of Expression
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights – United Nations
• Freedom of Speech in International Law – Oxford Academic

U.S. Supreme Court Cases

• Free Speech Supreme Court Cases – Justia
• Notable First Amendment Court Cases – American Library Association
• Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969) – Justia
• Cases By Date – MTSU Free Speech Center

Jimmy Kimmel Case Analysis

• Why Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Was Yanked Off the Air – CNN
• Were Jimmy Kimmel’s Free Speech Rights Violated When ABC Canceled His Show? – Reuters
• Does the First Amendment Apply in Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension? – CBS News
• In Pressuring ABC Over Kimmel, Trump May Have Crossed a Constitutional Line – New York Times
• Jimmy Kimmel, the FCC, and Why Broadcasters Still Have “Junior Varsity” First Amendment Rights – Cato Institute

Research compiled, analyzed, and published on September 19, 2025.

#2025 #ABC #AI #America #DonaldTrump #DrWebSDomain #Education #FCC #FederalCommunicationsCommission #Health #History #JimmyKimmel #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #Opinion #PerplexityPro #Politics #Resistance #Science #Television #Trump #TrumpAdministration #UnitedStates

Trump 2.0 vs. the US Constitution, annotated – CNN

Trump 2.0 vs. the US Constitution, annotated

How the 47th president-elect is pushing the boundaries of the founding document

By Zachary B. Wolf, Curt Merrill and Way Mullery, CNN

Published: January 18, 2025

Unlike any other president, Donald Trump has tested the words and ideas in the literal text of the US Constitution, from the Preamble through the 27th Amendment.

There are multiple passages he has said or suggested he will ignore or reinterpret.

The president-elect wants to end birthright citizenship, even though it’s in the 14th Amendment. His pledge to use “impoundment” to save money runs afoul of the idea that the legislature has the power of the purse. He has mused about ending the federal income tax, groused about the Senate’s role in confirming appointees and joked about staying in power after his second term ends. But the Constitution is clear in what it does and does not allow.

As he enters the White House a second time, it’s worth reading the Constitution, again, with a highlighter, and through the lens of Trump’s promises and his plans.

Read the United States’ founding document along with us — from top to bottom — or use the dropdown menu to skip ahead to a specific article or amendment.

Editor’s Note: The article link shows a list of the U.S. Constitution, annotated by section or part, re: Trump 2.0. I could not include that link box in my re-posting. Use on the CNN page. Below is the truncated beginning on the text…

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

– Congress –

Section 1

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

The framers, by design, put the Congress and the House first in the Constitution because they wanted the legislature to drive the government. That’s not how things feel with today’s gridlocked Congress and powerful presidents.

For another line-by-line deconstruction of the Constitution with input from across the political spectrum, check out this one from the National Constitution Center.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.

This reference to enslaved Americans being referred to as 3/5 of “free Persons” for counting purposes — a compromise between the northern and southern states at the time of the writing of the Constitution — was overwritten by the 13th and 14th Amendments. Also, Native Americans are now taxed and thus counted for apportionment.

The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Trump is the only president in US history to face two impeachments, and the only impeached president to win a second term. He is unlikely to face impeachment so long as Republicans control the House, which they will at least until January 2027.

Editor’s Note: Read the rest of the story, at the below link.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Trump 2.0 vs. the US Constitution, annotated – CNN

#2025 #America #Annotated #CNN #DonaldTrump #Education #Health #History #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #Politics #Resistance #Science #Trump #Trump20 #TrumpAdministration #USConstitution #UnitedStates

September 2025 U.S. Midterms Update: Deep Dive on Politics, Economy, Redistricting, and Key Races – DrWeb’s Domain UPDATE

September 2025 U.S. Midterms Update: Deep Dive on Politics, Economy, Redistricting, and Key Races

The 2026 midterm elections are shaping up to be highly contested and defined by critical battles over congressional control, redistricting fights initiated by GOP and Democrats, and an economy that voters are closely watching. This monthly report breaks down the latest developments, polling trends, and political analysis ahead of the November 2026 elections. Remember election date is November 3, 2026.

1. Major News Stories: Top 10 Midterm Election Reads

• Democrats launch legal blitz to blunt GOP redistricting advantage (Politico, 9/9) — The long, costly legal push to counteract GOP map changes in critical states.
• The two major forces shaping Trump’s second midterm election (NBC News, 9/2) — Redistricting and the “One Big Beautiful Bill” legislation energize both parties.
• Key Senate contests take shape ahead of 2026 midterm elections (CBS News, 8/28) — Overview of crucial Senate races Democrats must flip to gain majority.
• Democrats lead in House generic ballot polls by 2.3 points (G. Elliott Morris, 7/31) — Poll average indicates a small Democratic edge nationally.
• Will Trump Have to Run From the Economy? (New York Times, 9/4) — Weak job growth and inflation pressures loom large in voter concerns.
• What is Trump’s approval rating? Polls show how Americans feel (USA Today, 9/8) — Recent uptick in approval amid economic uncertainty.
• 2026 Senate Election Interactive Map (270toWin, 7/24) — Track all Senate races and their forecasted outcomes.
• Republicans brace for redistricting ‘catastrophe’ in California (Politico, 9/7) — GOP anxiety as Democrats push new maps to reclaim seats.
• The Framers wanted the House closest to the people. Redistricting… (NPR, 8/27) — Historical context on midcycle redistricting battles.
• Trump Ordered Texas To Gerrymander 5 New Republican-Leaning Congressional Districts (CAP, 8/26) — How Texas GOP aims to expand House majority before election.

2. Deep Dive Analysis: The Redistricting Power Play

This summer, Texas Republicans, urged by President Trump, redrew congressional maps mid-decade to add five new Republican-leaning districts, a rare and controversial move historically uncommon outside court orders. Democrats responded by unveiling competing maps in California and encouraging legal challenges nationwide, sparking a fierce redistricting showdown that will impact dozens of competitive House districts and likely cement a GOP advantage in 2026.

Experts warn these aggressive partisan redraws risk disenfranchising voters and undermining the constitutional principle that the House should closely represent the populace. With control of the House up for grabs, this redistricting race has become the most consequential political battle outside the ballot box heading into next year.

3. Polling and Forecasts

President Trump’s approval rating slightly rebounded from 42% in July to 44% in September, buoyed by gains among independents and moderates. However, economic concerns remain high, with inflation and job growth cited as top voter priorities.

National generic ballot polling shows Democrats leading Republicans by 2.3 points on average, signaling a competitive but Democratic-leaning House race nationally. Senate control remains toss-up territory, with Republicans defending 22 of 35 seats and Democrats defending 13; Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reclaim the chamber.

4. Economic & Social Issues Impacting the Midterms

Economic jitters permeate voter sentiment as weak job numbers and stubborn inflation dominate headlines. August added just 22,000 jobs, raising concerns about a stalling labor market that could drive voter dissatisfaction. Inflation pressures related to tariffs and rising costs threaten to weigh on President Trump’s approval ahead of the elections.

Social issues such as immigration and government spending rank highly in voter priorities, shaping campaign narratives across party lines. The evolving debates on these topics may significantly influence turnout among key demographics.

5. Legislative and Legal Landscape

The legal battle over redistricting is expected to continue well into 2026, with Democrats mounting court challenges against GOP maps in states like Texas. Key legislative efforts around voting rights and election security are also progressing in several states, further complicating the electoral environment.

6. Key Dates & Events to Watch

• Fall 2025: Candidate filing deadlines in several battleground states
• Spring 2026: Primary elections for House and Senate races begin
• Summer 2026: Major party conventions and national conventions
• November 3, 2026: Election Day — Midterm elections for all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats

7. Expert Voices & Opinions

David Wasserman, election analyst at the Cook Political Report, highlights that redistricting alone could yield a net gain of 4 to 12 seats for Republicans in the House, despite a national environment slightly favorable to Democrats. Political strategists emphasize the importance of battleground states like North Carolina and Texas, where intense contests and primary battles will shape Senate control.

8. Conclusion & What to Watch Next Month

The 2026 midterms are fast becoming a referendum on economic performance and political representation. Redistricting fights will likely decide control of key House districts before voters even cast ballots, while Senate races remain unpredictable with numerous open and contested seats. Voter attention will increasingly focus on economic signals and social issues as campaigns intensify heading into 2026.

Next month’s update will cover early primary results, fundraising reports, and the fallout of ongoing legal challenges over redistricting maps. Stay tuned for in-depth analysis and fresh polling data as the election year approaches.

Sources: Politico, NBC News, CBS News, G. Elliott Morris, New York Times, USA Today, 270toWin, NPR, Cook Political Report as of September 2025. Edited by DrWeb, analysis by Perplexity Pro.

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50 – CBS Sunday Morning – September 7, 2025

CBS Sunday Morning today looked back at the 50-year history of the cult cinema classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” embedded above.

In addition, I’ve researched, aided by my trust sidesick AI, some highlights of the best RHPS history and notes about the film, its history, midnight showings, cast, and include those excerpts here in the post. “Let’s Do the Timewarp Again!”

Let’s Do the Time Warp Again! 50 Years of Rocky Horror History

Film Origins & Creation

• Stage to Screen: Based on Richard O’Brien’s 1973 stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, the film premiered in the UK on August 14, 1975, and in the US on September 26, 1975.
• Initial Flop: Despite its later success, Rocky Horror was a complete box office disaster when first released, pulled from theaters after poor performance.
• Cultural Inspiration: O’Brien created the musical as a tribute to the science fiction and B-movie horror films he loved, with opening number Science Fiction/Double Feature referencing classics like “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Flash Gordon,” and “King Kong.”

Record-Breaking Run

• Longest Theatrical Release: Still in limited release in 2025, Rocky Horror holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running theatrical release in film history—50 years and counting.
• Midnight Movie Pioneer: The film essentially created the midnight movie phenomenon, with the first regular midnight showings beginning in 1976.
• Global Gross: What started as a flop has earned over $170 million worldwide through its unprecedented theatrical longevity.

Iconic Cast & Characters

• Tim Curry: His breakout role as the “sweet transvestite” Dr. Frank-N-Furter became one of cinema’s most memorable performances.
• Star Power: Featured Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as the naive couple Brad and Janet, with Meat Loaf as motorcycle-riding Eddie.
• Supporting Cast: Richard O’Brien (also the writer) as Riff Raff, Patricia Quinn as Magenta, and Little Nell as Columbia rounded out the core ensemble.

Midnight Madness & Audience Participation

• Shadow Casts: Live amateur performers act out the film in front of the screen during screenings, a tradition that began organically and continues worldwide.
• Prop Culture: Audiences bring rice, toast, water guns, and newspaper to throw at specific moments, though many theaters now regulate prop policies.
• Costume Tradition: Fans dress as characters, though this has decreased over the years, with some theaters hosting themed nights like “prom night” or “lingerie night.”
• Safe Space: The midnight showings became sanctuaries where people could express themselves freely, particularly important for LGBTQ+ communities and those feeling marginalized.

50th Anniversary Celebrations (2025)

• Special Tour: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Spectacular Tour” is in progress, for September-November 2025, featuring original cast members Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell across 55 North American cities.
• 4K Restoration: A newly restored 4K HDR edition has a forthcoming release in October 2025 in collectible SteelBook format with Dolby Vision and Atmos audio.
• Deluxe Soundtrack: 50th anniversary edition on 180g red-in-gold vinyl featuring never-before-seen photos and production diary excerpts.
• Documentary Features: Two commemorative documentaries were produced: “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror” and another exploring the Rocky Horror phenomenon.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

• Cult Classic Definition: Rocky Horror essentially defined what we mean by a “cult movie”—the first, the biggest, and the template for all others.
• Life-Changing Impact: The BBC noted the film has literally “saved lives” by providing community and acceptance for outsiders and marginalized individuals.
• Continuing Tradition: Famous venues like Los Angeles’ Nuart Theatre have hosted weekly Saturday night screenings since 1986, with shadow cast performances by groups like “Sins O’ The Flesh.”
• Pandemic Resilience: Even during COVID-19 lockdowns, a Portland theater continued showing the film to empty houses for 54 weeks, and celebrities did live-streamed readings to support political causes.

Additional Resources:

• Official Rocky Horror Fan Site: rockyhorror.com
• Landmark Theatres’ Nuart (historic LA venue): landmarktheatres.com
• Academy Museum 50th Anniversary Events – https://www.academymuseum.org/en/programs/detail/50th-anniversary-of-the-rocky-horror-picture-show-019819d5-47de-b544-831c-004abcccd6ad – The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Tim Curry, Lou Adler, and Sins O’ The Flesh, In person: Tim Curry, Lou Adler, Sins O’ The Flesh.

The unique film’s enduring appeal lies in its celebration of sexual liberation, gender fluidity, and the joy of being different—themes that continue to resonate with new generations of fans who find community in the darkness of midnight theaters worldwide. Somewhere, always, it seems now, there’ a “Time Warp” waiting for you!

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Try and Stop Me – GovTrack.us

1. News From Us
2. Legislative Preview

Try and Stop Me

Sept. 3, 2025 · by Amy West

House and Senate Return

The House has 12 committee meetings scheduled. On Tuesday, there will be a Rules Committee meeting to set debate rules for three resolutions canceling Biden Administration regulations and for the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. House Appropriations will have markup hearings on the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill and the Financial Services and General Government Bill (also for fiscal year 2026). The House has 16 bills on its schedule this week on a wide range of topics.

The Senate returned late Tuesday to, per Craig Caplan on X, “vote at 5:30pm on whether to advance the 2026 defense programs and policy bill. This first floor action on the NDAA needs 60 Yes votes to advance it.” (The National Defense Authorization Act, aka the NDAA, advanced 84-14 on Tuesday evening.) There are nine committee hearings, none on appropriations, five on pending nominations.

Meanwhile

Epstein Files Transparency Act

Rep. Massie (R-KY4) has a resolution demanding the release of all Epstein files. He is filing it as a discharge petition which will need 218 co-sponsors. Currently, he has 134 with three Republicans besides himself.

A discharge petition is a tool for House members not in leadership to force votes on topics that leadership doesn’t want to vote on. The first hurdle is to get 218 co-sponsors. Once the petition has 218 co-sponsors, the member may introduce it which will require that the House vote on it within two legislative days.

Massie’s effort might have been doomed except that releasing the Epstein files is popular with the Republican base. Releasing them is not popular with the President though. Exploiting this intra-Republican conflict appeals to Democrats and so about 130 of them have signed on so far. It will take all of the Democrats signing on as well as a few more Republicans to get to 218. We’ll let you know how far Massie gets.

Government Shutdown?

Even with the appropriations work listed above, Congress will almost certainly not get all 12 regular appropriations bills passed through both chambers by September 30, the last day of the fiscal year. After that, government agencies cannot spend funds and will shut down. (See our post Learn how Congress directs government spending for more details).

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Try and Stop Me – GovTrack.us

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Top 7 Sources: US Elections 2025–2026 News Summary – DrWeb’s Domain

Top 7 Sources: US Elections 2025–2026 News Summary

1. 2026 United States elections overview
   Comprehensive Wikipedia summary: federal, statewide, local races; generic ballot polling; mayoral/county races; opinion polling tables.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_elections
2. August 2025 Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll results
   Trump approval rating, top voter issues, polarization, inflation vs. immigration priorities, policy support splits.
   https://harvardharrispoll.com/press-release-august-2025/
3. Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Ballot model: Democrats favored
   Conditional forecasts for House/Senate seat change; regression analysis; impact of seat exposure and generic ballot.
   https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/generic-ballot-model-gives-democrats-strong-chance-to-take-back-house-in-2026/
4. Nate Silver Bulletin: Trump approval rating aggregator
   Daily composite Trump approval/disapproval; historical net approval vs. previous presidents at same point; reliability notes.
   https://www.natesilver.net/p/trump-approval-ratings-nate-silver-bulletin
5. USAPP Blog: LSE ‘The road to the 2026 midterms’ series
   Calendar of 2025–2026 elections; special/primary/off-year races; Senate seat analysis and party control implications.
   https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2025/06/04/the-road-to-the-2026-midterm-elections/
6. Ballotpedia: Special Elections to the 119th Congress (archival)
   Dates, districts, results, implications for House/Senate control. Note: direct fetch unsuccessful; refer to Ballotpedia main page.
   https://ballotpedia.org/Special_elections_to_the_119th_United_States_Congress_(2025-2026)
7. Generic ballot poll aggregation – RCP/DDHQ, opinion data
   RealClearPolitics, Decision Desk HQ, poll aggregators cited via Wikipedia and Crystal Ball articles for current generic ballot, party lead.

   See references/links inside Wikipedia and Sabato’s Crystal Ball cited above.

Prepared for DrWeb’s Domain and updated by ChatGPT.

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Monthly U.S. Elections Summary: August 2025

Monthly U.S. Elections Summary: August 2025

Here is the August 2025 summary update on major U.S. news and political trends as the nation heads toward the November 2026 elections, with current charts for Trump’s approval and congressional control signals. This report is prepared monthly by Perplexity Pro especially for and edited by DrWeb’s Domain.

Politics

• The 2026 midterm elections will decide all House seats, over a third of Senate seats, dozens of governorships, and many local offices, making it a pivotal contest for both parties.
• Democrats are currently leading in generic congressional ballot polling by 3–4 points, indicating an early advantage for potential House gains, while Senate forecasts favor notable Democratic advances due to Republican seat exposure in competitive states.

Economy

• Inflation remains voters’ top concern in late August 2025, with public mood sensitive to rising prices and economic performance, both likely to heavily influence campaign agendas in the coming months.

Social Issues

• Crime and immigration are high-profile topics for the electorate, matched by significant attention to global events such as conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• Persistent partisan and demographic divides are evident in polling, suggesting continued polarization on key issues and strategies targeted by both parties.

Key Events

• Special congressional elections and 2026 primary dates are in motion, with each new cycle update potentially affecting momentum and party margins going into next year.

Charts

Trump’s Approval Ratings (August 2025)

• Trump’s approval: 44.1%
• Trump’s disapproval: 52.4%

Chart: Trump approval vs disapproval trend line for August 2025

House and Senate Control Signals (2026 Outlook)

• Democrats lead House polling by +3.7 points
• Senate models project Democratic net gains (+5 seats)

Chart: Bar chart showing current indicators for congressional control by party

This update tracks the latest polling, major issues, and election process milestones, with charts refreshed monthly through November 2026.

Top 7 Sources for Reference

1. 2026 United States elections overview
   Comprehensive Wikipedia summary: federal, statewide, local races; generic ballot polling; mayoral/county races; opinion polling tables.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_elections
2. August 2025 Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll results
   Trump approval rating, top voter issues, polarization, inflation vs. immigration priorities, policy support splits.
   https://harvardharrispoll.com/press-release-august-2025/
3. Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Ballot model: Democrats favored
   Conditional forecasts for House/Senate seat change; regression analysis; impact of seat exposure and generic ballot.
   https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/generic-ballot-model-gives-democrats-strong-chance-to-take-back-house-in-2026/
4. Nate Silver Bulletin: Trump approval rating aggregator
   Daily composite Trump approval/disapproval; historical net approval vs. previous presidents at same point; reliability notes.
   https://www.natesilver.net/p/trump-approval-ratings-nate-silver-bulletin
5. USAPP Blog: LSE ‘The road to the 2026 midterms’ series
   Calendar of 2025–2026 elections; special/primary/off-year races; Senate seat analysis and party control implications.
   https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2025/06/04/the-road-to-the-2026-midterm-elections/
6. Ballotpedia: Special Elections to the 119th Congress
   Dates, districts, results, implications for House/Senate control.
   https://ballotpedia.org/Special_elections_to_the_119th_United_States_Congress_(2025-2026)
7. Generic ballot poll aggregation – RCP/DDHQ
   RealClearPolitics, Decision Desk HQ, poll aggregators for current generic ballot and party lead data.
   See references/links inside Wikipedia and Sabato’s Crystal Ball cited above

Monthly summary compiled August 26, 2025. Next update: September 2025.

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DrWeb’s Domain – Deep Dive – Trump’s Circle Not Best, Not Brightest…

Video and podcast made with Google NotebookLLM, Headliner, Spotify, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and human brain power. Remember this?

The Best and the Brightest, by David Halberstam

The Best and the Brightest is David Halberstam’s masterpiece, the defining history of the making of the Vietnam tragedy. Using portraits of America’s flawed policy makers and accounts of the forces that drove them, The Best and the Brightest reckons magnificently with the most important abiding question of our country’s recent history: Why did America become mired in Vietnam and why did it lose? As the definitive single-volume answer to that question, this enthralling book has never been superseded. It’s an American classic. — Goodreads

Above, the discussion team tackle Trump’s “team” (little “t”)… they are, not surprised, the best nor the brightest.. the loyalty test seems like a raised arm salute, to me.

Continue Reading/Listening: DrWeb’s Domain | all things library and life.. from a librarian

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