‘I have never seen such open corruption’: Trump’s crypto deals and loosening of rules shock observers | Trump administration | The Guardian

"Self-enrichment is exactly what the founders feared most in a leader – that's why they put two separate prohibitions on self-benefit into the constitution," said former federal prosecutor Paul Rosenzweig. "Trump's profiting from his presidential memecoin is a textbook example of what the framers wanted to avoid."

 Scholars, too, offer a harsh analysis of Trump's crypto dealings. 

"I have never seen such open corruption in any modern government anywhere," said Steven Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard University and an expert on authoritarian regimes who co-authored the book How Democracies Die…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/17/trump-crypto-memecoin-corruption 

‘This is the looting of America’: Trump and Co’s extraordinary conflicts of interest in his second term | Trump administration | The Guardian

Trump and his team of billionaires have led the US on a dizzying journey into the moral twilight that has left public sector watchdogs struggling to keep up. Which is precisely the intention, said Kathleen Clark, a government ethics lawyer and law professor at Washington University in Saint Louis. 

 "They have mastered the technique of flooding the zone – doing so much so fast that they are overwhelming the ability of ethics groups and institutions to respond." 

…a "pay-for-play administration. That's the underlying theme. You pay Donald Trump money, he does favors for you. That's old-fashioned corruption." 

 … "People talk about 'guardrails' and 'norms' and 'conflict of interest', which is all very relevant," she said. "But this is theft and destruction. This is the looting of America…" 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/trump-conflict-of-interest 

 

U.S. Steel-Nippon deal includes "golden share" giving Trump power to approve big corporate changes - CBS News

The president has the authority to name one of the corporate board's independent three directors and can veto the other two choices, the Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with the terms of the agreement who insisted on anonymity to discuss them. The details of the board structure were first reported by The New York Times...

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-steel-golden-share-trump-approval-relocation-jobs-nippon/ 

 

NYC Dem ARRESTED by TRUMP GOONS on Camera!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIrL-cjKtgk

 

More on the Bible & immigration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTidgqYqXck

 

House Republican, Democrat move to limit Trump from entering Iran war

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) plan to introduce a measure that would force President Trump to get approval to Congress to enter Israel's conflict with Iran...

https://www.axios.com/2025/06/17/trump-iran-israel-war-congress-massie-khanna 

 

 

LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=566yTKLF-uk

 

MAGA gets furious at Trump Parade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blwp5oVxhVI

 

Jon Stewart on Israel’s "Urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & MAGA’s blame game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q08a7BI9XI 

Trump’s Birthday Parade Dwarfed by National No Kings Protests & Don Jr. announces biggest grift yet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsC_Lm46Ryk

 

At least 51 Palestinians killed in Gaza waiting for food trucks, says health ministry | Gaza | The Guardian

Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces carried out an airstrike on a nearby home before opening fire toward the crowd in the southern city of Khan Younis on Tuesday morning…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/17/dozens-killed-in-gaza-waiting-for-food-trucks-says-health-ministry 

 

Trump leaves Europe in the cold in the Rocky Mountains, and Iran with a stark choice | Donald Trump | The Guardian

As Air Force One departed, Emmanuel Macron tried to shape narrative of the departure by saying that a ceasefire was in the offing, if not close. Trump then, in a tone of some relish, belittled the "the publicity-seeking" French leader in typically stark terms. "Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong," he posted on Truth Social. He was after something "much bigger" than a ceasefire, he said…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/17/trump-iran-g7-europe-israel-deal 

 

South Africa is at the heart of the HIV pandemic. What happens now the money has been cut? | Global development | The Guardian

"South Africa is particularly revolting, because they actually do have the resources."

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/17/hiv-aids-south-africa-despair-trump-us-cuts-pepfar-clinics-sex-workers-trans-drug-users 

 

Trump and other Republicans mock Democrats after Minnesota lawmaker killings | US politics | The Guardian

While many in GOP condemn attacks, president calls Tim Walz 'terrible governor' and Musk pushes misinformation…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/republicans-trump-minnesota-lawmakers-killings 

 

Trump officials reverse guidance exempting farms, hotels from immigration raids - The Washington Post

ICE agents have been told to continue conducting enforcement operations at agricultural businesses despite concerns about negative effects on the food industry...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/06/16/trump-farms-hotels-immigration-raids/

Trump dismisses Gabbard's testimony on Iran nukes: "I don't care what she said"

President Trump on Tuesday said Iran was "very close" to having a nuclear weapon, despite March testimony from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that Tehran was not building one…

https://www.axios.com/2025/06/17/trump-gabbard-iran-nuclear-weapon-testimony 

Nobody Enjoyed Trump's Stupid Parade | Drunk On Fox | No Kings: The Biggest protest in history

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmNLKlkUxQ

 

MAGA divided on Iran/Israel, calls for impeachment from within MAGA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hENbXRyRn0o

 

Heather McGhee on Trump’s Wars on DEI and Immigration (Al Franken podcast)

The Trump administration is waging war on DEI. But what does that mean? We ask one of our favorite guests, Heather McGhee, to break down how and why DEI has become such a focus for Trump and his allies. Heather wrote the groundbreaking book The Sum of Us and is an expert in economic and social policy. She explains that diversity is the backbone of America and that it’s unquestionably better for everyone when we embrace more diverse voices.

We also discuss the appalling ICE raids in Los Angeles and around the country and the economic and moral impact of the war on immigrants. Heather sees many parallels between this and the disgusting actions of segregationists, who chose to fill in and close public pools rather than let everybody have access to them.

Read more about Heather: https://heathermcghee.com/

Interview: 

https://www.alfranken.com/listen/heathermcghee250615

Top U.S. & World Headlines — June 17, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ae_OjV_AU

 

Weekly Roundup: The Military Occupation of Los Angeles – and the USA (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad and Dan reflect on what feels like a historic and ominous week. They unpack the rapidly unfolding events in California and Washington, D.C., including:

• The shocking treatment of Senator Padilla, who was thrown to the ground and handcuffed 
• Governor Newsom’s response to escalating federal pressure 
• The deployment of Marines and National Guard troops 
• Judge Breyer’s ruling against Donald Trump—and the immediate appeal 
• What a military parade through D.C. could mean for American democracy 
• Widespread protests and what they signal about the weeks ahead 

This episode captures a pivotal moment in U.S. political life—one that may mark a turning point for the nation.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-the-military-occupation-of-los-angeles-and-the-usa/

The Alleged Minnesota Assassin’s Connections to the New Apostolic Reformation (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this emergency episode of ‘Straight White American, Jesus,’ host Brad Onishi discusses the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband by a shooter impersonating a police officer. 

Brad provides details about the suspect, Vance Boelter, and his background, including his ties to Donald Trump, anti-abortion views, and Christian ministry. 

Scholar Matt Taylor explains Boelter’s connections to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), diving into the history and influence of Christ for the Nations Institute, a significant institution in the independent charismatic Christian world. Their comments contextualize the violent act within the broader landscape of political violence and radicalization in the U.S., highlighting the dire implications of such events.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/the-alleged-minnesota-assassins-connections-to-the-new-apostolic-reformation/

The Next Conservative Civil War Is Coming - POLITICO

Prominent members of the conservative legal movement have been publicly speaking out against Bove's nomination, arguing that he would be more loyal to Trump than the rule of law. That in turn has sparked a backlash against Bove's critics from Trump allies eager to install a new set of judges who may be less tied to the old guard on the right...

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/06/16/emil-bove-nomination-conservative-legal-civil-war-00405837 

 

Senate overhauls Trump’s tax bill, setting up brawl with the House - The Washington Post

The chamber suggests cuts to the child tax credit and SALT and is more heavy-handed on cuts to Medicaid than the legislation the House passed in May...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/06/16/trump-tax-bill-senate-republicans-child-tax-credit/

 

Trump fires nuclear regulator as White House seeks to soften oversight - The Washington Post

NRC Commissioner Christopher Hanson, who chaired the agency under President Joe Biden, says his dismissal is illegal...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/06/16/nuclear-power-regulation-commission-fired/

 

Senate Republicans Unveil Key Part Of Their 'Big Beautiful Bill' | HuffPost Latest News

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has said he thought the House provision was too strict, and that it would harm rural hospitals in Missouri. The Senate proposal is even stricter than the House version. "I'm very concerned about the effect on rural hospitals," Hawley said last week. 

"What I've said to my leadership is — and this is what I talked to the president about — is that I don't want to see rural hospitals close. So that's my bottom line."…

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/senate-finance-committee-big-beautiful-bill_n_68508419e4b072f3c80de92f

Minnesota Shooting Suspect Allegedly Attended a Bible College Popular Among Christian Nationalists – Mother Jones

Among the details about the suspect beginning to emerge is that he reportedly attended a bible college that is a stronghold of the New Apostolic Reformation, the charismatic movement that teaches that Christians are called to take over the US government…

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/minnesota-shooting-suspect-allegedly-attended-a-bible-college-popular-among-christian-nationalists/ 

 

Defy. Deny. Disparage (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has pled not guilty to the two charges of smuggling migrants, and has asked the court to release him on bail pending his trial.

The Department of Justice is trying to dismiss the discovery proceedings as moot, but Abrego Garcia’s lawyers have filed a sanctions motion requesting Judge Xinis proceed with determining whether the government defied her order.

The Western District of Texas became the fourth court to find that Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act is unlawful and blocked the government from removing anyone under the proclamation in the district.

Attorney General Pam Bondi fails to respond to Judge Boasberg's order to report how the government is facilitating the due process for those trapped in the Salvadoran prison, and instead files a motion to stay the order.

Plus listener questions…
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-qj2qe-25fe6789

Trump coveted a military spectacle but his parade proved underwhelming: ‘Just kind of lame’ | Donald Trump | The Guardian

A young man, asked what he thought of the parade, remarked that he was not impressed. He felt that Trump's close association with the celebration had politicized it and "made a mockery" of the army, though it wasn't the army's fault. More to the point, he added, the event was "just kind of … lame"…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/15/trump-army-parade 

 

‘Extremely disturbing and unethical’: new rules allow VA doctors to refuse to treat Democrats, unmarried veterans | Trump administration | The Guardian

…the changes open up the possibility that doctors could refuse to treat veterans based on their "reason for seeking care – including allegations of rape and sexual assault – current or past political party affiliation or political activity, and personal behavior such as alcohol or marijuana use"… 

…did not dispute that the new rules allowed doctors to refuse to treat veteran patients based on their beliefs or that physicians could be dismissed based on their marital status or political affiliation…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/va-doctors-refuse-treat-patients 

 

That’s Not Fair and That’s Not American (Warren Throckmorton; Telling Jefferson Lies)

Recently, David Barton and Matt Krause testified in front of the Texas House of Representatives Public Education committee. Barton and Krause both said some historically questionable things to support the placement of the Ten Commandments in every Texas classroom. A premise of this podcast is that it takes faulty history to pursue Christian nationalist goals, one of which is to erode separation of church and state.

Texas Representatives John Bryant and James Talarico scrutinized Barton's and Kruse's arguments and determined that placing a Christian version of the Ten Commandments in every Texas classroom was unfair and un-American.

The episode begins with a passionate appeal by Bryant and Talarico for fairness and ends with an analysis of faulty history which is being used to oppose fairness.

Music provided by Earl's Taco Shack (Gulf of Mexico Blues, Nebula); Jeremiah Lawson (Sonata for Guitar in A minor), and Jonus Fair (The Rest is History).
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-w2fqy-256417cc

What is the deal with the Trump Mobile T1 Phone? | The Verge

"…all we have is a website that was clearly put together quickly and somewhat sloppily, a promise that the phone is "designed and built in the USA" that I absolutely do not believe, a picture that appears to be nearly 100 percent Photoshopped, and a list of specs that don't make a lot of sense together…"

https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/687492/trump-mobile-phone-t1 

 

Trump DOUBLES DOWN on Congress Act ATTACK…Constitutional VIOLATION?!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qb19i-h-CY

 

WTF?! Fox News CAUGHT FAKING PARADE Footage on LIVE TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4HajaOSMSg

Critics Rip Trump For 'Dehumanizing' Sunday Night Announcement | HuffPost Latest News

He wrote that he was expanding operations in the nation's biggest cities, including Los Angeles ― where he has already sent the military to contend with recurring protests against his immigration policies ― as well as Chicago and New York...

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-ice-democratic-cities_n_684fa047e4b07f75743a552e 

 

Pride Month vs. the Bible! - YouTube

 Welp it's June, and that means LGBTQIA+ Pride month! At least that's what it means for many. For a minority of people, June is national grumpy homophobe month. One thing about the grumpy set is that they really love to use the Bible to shore up their dogmatic belief that gay folks (and trans and bi and all the other acronym-represented people) are going against God. So let's talk about it. Our first segment is about pride itself. The word, that is. Is the rainbow community committing the worst of the 7 deadly sins every June? Pastor Mark Driscoll sure seems to think so. Then we'll dive into some of the passages of the Bible folks use to justify their anti-LGBTQIA+ stance. Do those passages mean what those people say they mean? And even if they do, are modern believers required to follow them?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWTu2bw1dQc

Protesters march through Philly for ‘No Kings' rally against President Trump

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfOiBUGLaHw

 

Minnesota shootings set off five-alarm fire in Congress

Lawmakers "are scared," the senior Democrat said, and want "addresses hidden and security updates. They won't be silenced." 

A second House Democrat said there is "heavy demand" for members to have their own personal security details. 

A House Republican told Axios they responded to the news by immediately raising the issue of members' security with House leadership.…

https://www.axios.com/2025/06/14/minnesota-melissa-hortman-john-hoffman-congress

 

The Dubious Charges Against Abrego Garcia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipxHg1dnP9k

 

Trump’s Budget Slashes Nearly 40% from Cancer Research Agency

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IpsdQNooFeM

'No Kings' protester dies after Salt Lake City shooting

A marcher critically wounded in a shooting at Salt Lake City's 10,000-strong "No Kings" protest on Saturday night has died, police reported Sunday afternoon. "Our victim was not the intended target," Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said, "but rather an innocent bystander participating in the demonstration."…

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/15/marcher-wounded-no-kings-protest/ 

 

All Hell Breaks Loose When Marjorie Taylor Greene Accuses governors of murder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7VHfcVjUCM

 

MAGA LOVES PED0S!!!!!!!

No trans people on the list, only MAGA influencers and church leaders…

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkGlown5Bw8

 

🚨🚨 Republicans CAUGHT attempting RIG next election

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNkAWlLS7Rw

 

BREAKING: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Holds Press Briefing After 2 Democratic lawmakers shot, one killed by a person impersonating a police officer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FGhTGQXp40

 

'No Kings' protests get underway with rally in Manhattan near Bryant Park and NYPL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_hmZ4--YlQ

 

"‘No Kings’ rally in Grand Rapids draws hundreds to Protest Trump administration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxCQj34Uas8

 

Trump PARADE turns into DISASTER as NO ONE SHOWS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJtnLOky0-Q

 

OMG: Trump HUMILIATED at his OWN military parade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM38NaLLH5A

How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism + The National Guard Sent to Los Angeles (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Why are young men increasingly drawn to fascist ideologies—and what can parents do about it?

Brad sits down with Craig A. Johnson, author of How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism. They explore why boys and young men are especially vulnerable to far-right radicalization, how fascism is becoming normalized in modern culture, and what parents can do to push back.

Craig breaks down the recruitment tactics used in online spaces, the role of toxic masculinity, and the emotional and social factors that make fascist narratives appealing. He shares practical advice for having empathetic, non-alarmist conversations with sons, as well as the importance of early intervention, positive role models, and media literacy.

This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the rise of fascism—and how to fight it from the ground up.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/how-to-talk-to-your-son-about-fascism-the-national-guard-sent-to-los-angeles/

 

Jordan Peterson: Exposed by 20 Atheists (Seth Andrews; The Thinking Atheist podcast)

Psychologist, "intellectual," and God-defender Jordan Peterson brought his world-salad opinions to a recent roundtable debate with 20 young atheists.

Atheist author David McAfee was there, and he joins Seth Andrews to talk about that day.
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/4Xy7hqm_QHQ?si=trMeJTQ-5FdETlGV

Rep. Mary Miller’s Hateful Invocation Blunder (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #587)

– He’s Sikh, not Muslim: GOP Rep. Mary Miller’s bigoted blunder goes viral. (0:41)

– Arizona court blocks predator’s confession from trial—because it was made to a pastor. (17:44)

– A Christian Nationalist will lead the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. (31:15)

– An Oklahoma City employee moonlights as a pastor who preaches death for LGBTQ people. (56:11)

– Thou shalt not ignore the law: Illinois county sued over Ten Commandments monument. (1:12:15)

– Supreme Court hands win to Catholic Charities in case that could gut worker protections. (1:31:30)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/06/12/rep-mary-millers-hateful-invocation-blunder/

The News Roundup – Domestic and International (The 1A) 2025-06-13

Domestic

This week, President Donald Trump deployed military forces to Los Angeles to quell immigration protests. They are also tasked with protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducting raids in the city.

As Donald Trump’s golden visa website launched this week, the second iteration of his travel ban affecting 12 countries went into effect.

A federal judge ruled this week that the government must release Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who the government is trying to deport for his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Interview: 

https://the1a.org/segments/trump-ice-protests/

International

This week, more deaths were reported at food aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip. And the war passed a grim milestone, the Health Ministry announced the death toll has now passed 55,000.

Six months after the fall of the Assad regime, the International Monetary Fund is looking to support Syria’s economic recovery, saying that it will require investment from abroad.

In Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro is standing trial for his alleged plot to stage a coup following a failed bid for reelection in 2022.
Interview: 

https://the1a.org/segments/syria-economy-bolsonaro/

No Kings (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)

We announce that FFRF is a sponsor of the “No Kings Day of Action” protesting the erosion of democratic and constitutional safeguards against a monarchical administration, especially its embrace of Christian nationalism. 

After hearing Dan Barker’s protest song “We, The People,” we introduce three new FFRF lawsuits. 

FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover and FFRF Legal Fellow Hirsh Joshi join us to talk about the new lawsuits challenging religious symbols on government property in Illinois, Arkansas and Massachusetts.

Interview: 

https://ffrf.org/news/freethought-radio/freethought-today-june-12-2025/

How to Stop Trump’s Bad Terrible Bill (Andrew Seidel; One Nation, Indivisible podcast Episode #016)

Happy Pride! 

It's time to take action. Andrew covers a $20Billion boondoggle buried in Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. But we have a chance to stop it. If you take some action. Andrew tells you how. Visit NoVouchers.org for more ways to fight back. 

Then, Andrew covers Rep. Mary Miller's prayerful bigotry in Congress around the Sikh prayers. 

Finally, Andrew's wraps up a bad, but not terrible (?) Supreme Court decision on religious exemptions to the social safety net. 

Buckle up.

Interview: 

https://onenationindivisible.supercast.com/subscriber_v2/feed_items/507286

10 Uses For Text Replacements On a Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl00lL115ao

 

Israel launches strikes on ‘dozens’ of sites in Iran, targeting nuclear programme | Israel | The Guardian

They appear to have been targeted in their homes. Iranian state television reported that children had been killed in at least one of the airstrikes, on a residential area of Tehran… 

Donald Trump insisted that he had not been taken by surprise by the strike though he had previously warned Israel not to attack while the US was negotiating with Iran…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/13/israel-strikes-iran-nuclear-program-netanyahu

 

Republican in South Carolina arrested over distribution of child sexual abuse material | South Carolina | The Guardian

A Republican member of South Carolina's state house whom prosecutors say used the screen name "joebidennnn69" has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of distributing sexual abuse material involving children…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/rj-may-south-carolina-child-sexual-abuse 

 

US scrambles to bring back VOA’s Persian service amid Iran-Israel conflict - POLITICO

President Donald Trump ordered the service to shut down in March...

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/13/voa-persian-service-iran-israel-00406092 

 

He's Sikh, not Muslim: GOP Rep. Mary Miller's bigoted blunder goes viral

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN_oL9vsAEY

 

WHOA: Senator Padilla deals UNEXPECTED BLOW to Mike Johnson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iODfcI8v_KY

Wesley Bell Takes Pete Hegseth To Task Over $45 Million Pricetag On Army parade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHDQM8Gu97Q

‘Canary in the coal mine moment’: Nicolle on Trump appealing California National Guard decision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oj8_FbpHAg

 

NEW HIP HOP SINGLE - NO KINGS (June 14th Anthem)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbjNyAyfVcU

'You Think You Owe Her An Apology?': Vindman Tells Hegseth Mom Of Service member wants him to resign

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_1TuopglOE

 

White House purges Trump transcripts

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZXXcj-LUAkI

No Kings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWG0K3Y8ZU8

 

Chris Murphy: 'Some Of Our Republican Colleagues Have To Speak Out' To Defend Alex Padila

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU40L0GRuxI

 

Stephen Miller BUSTED As Unlawful ICE Raid Orders Exposed After Disaster meeting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL00K01FCAo

Trump Attends Les Misérables with MAGA VIPs, Brags About Saving LA & Revels he played the flute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sItOWxoYdY

 

Who are the eight new vaccine advisers appointed by Robert F Kennedy? | Robert F Kennedy Jr | The Guardian

New members of the panel include experts who complained about being sidelined, a high-profile figure who has spread misinformation and medical professionals who appear to have little vaccine expertise. Kennedy made the announcement on social media… 

 …Formally called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the panel advises the CDC on how vaccines should be distributed. Those recommendations effectively determine the vaccines Americans can access… 

"ACIP is widely regarded as the international gold standard for vaccine decision-making," said Helen Chu, one of the fired advisers, at a press conference with Patty Murray, a Democratic US senator. 

"We cannot replace it with a process driven by one person's beliefs. In the absence of an independent unbiased ACIP, we can no longer trust that safe and effective vaccines will be available to us and the people around us."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/eight-new-cdc-vaccine-advisers-robert-f-kennedy

 

Trump’s pollution rollback rewards wealthy plant owners — at the expense of Americans’ health | US news | The Guardian

Proposals this week to weaken EPA restrictions will help tiny group of owners while 'the American people will breathe dirtier air'…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/12/trump-epa-pollution-rules 

 

Millions in US expected to protest against Trump in ‘No Kings’ protests | US news | The Guardian

"Do we suddenly save democracy on Saturday? No. Does Trump suddenly step down on Saturday? No, that's not how this works," Levin said. "The way we think of it is, we're building a muscle. We're doing quite a big workout on Saturday. But it is a tactic in an extended strategy to safeguard American democracy."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/no-kings-protests 

 

Trump's Big Night at Kennedy Center Met with Boos; Poll Numbers Fall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgEdaujtxbs

 

LA protester charged with assaulting officer says he was the one attacked: ‘I thought I was going to die’ | Los Angeles Ice protests | The Guardian

When he tried to de-escalate tensions between federal agents and protesters, he said, a group of officers took him to the ground, held him in a chokehold and pushed him into the pavement, causing a large contusion on his nose and bruises all over his body. His lawyer provided cellphone footage that partially captured the scuffle. 

"We are not the violent ones. They escalated it. They are chasing down innocent people," said Mojica, who lifted his shirt to show the bruises on his ribs. "There was a different way to handle the situation than to beat me."…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/protester-charged-ice-los-angeles 

House votes to claw back $9.4bn in spending including from NPR and PBS | US politics | The Guardian

The package targets foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as thousands of public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214-212. 

Republicans are characterizing the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States' standing in the world and will lead to needless deaths. 

"Cruelty is the point," the Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, said of the proposed spending cuts...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/12/npr-pbs-funds-house-republicans

 

 

‘He stole a piece of our souls’: Christian music star Michael Tait accused of sexual assault by three men | US news | The Guardian

Tait posted on Instagram days ago that for 20 years he lived a 'double life' but is working on 'repentance and healing'…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/michael-tait-sexual-assault-allegations 

 

“Abortion Is Healthcare, Pt. 2” (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast) (It’s in the Code ep 150)

Allie Beth Stuckey offers reasons for opposition to abortion access that are typical of the anti-abortion movement. 

In particular, she argues that abortion is the murder of an innocent human person. She also tries to show that anti-abortion advocates affirm a full “culture of life,” and are not only concerned with the unborn. 

But are her arguments convincing? 

What does it mean to be a “human person,” and why does this matter? 

Can a theologically conservative Christian like Stuckey even affirm that humans are ever truly “innocent” in the first place? Does she really show that conservative Christians care about human life in a holistic way that encompasses more than the unborn? 

Listen to this week’s episode as Dan answers these questions.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/its-in-the-code-ep-150-abortion-is-healthcare-pt-2/

Rain On Trump's Parade? | "Not A King" | President Trolled By Drag Queen...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh2gwTYFZBE

 

"Render Unto Caesar" with Congressperson Eric Swalwell (Data Over Dogma podcast on YouTube) Episode 96 (February 3, 2025)

This week we're talking government on the Data Over Dogma show, and woof! It's a doozy! First, we're going into the belly of the beast and talking to and actual, honest-to-goodness United States congressperson. Eric Swalwell has a D next to his name, which, if you ask some in our country, means he's a godless communist. In fact, he's a professed Christian who is nevertheless concerned about the dangerous rise of Christian Nationalism here. He's come on the show to talk about secularism in government, and how his religion guides him as he makes decisions in Congress. Then the Dans will dive into a discussion of the Biblical take on the interplay between religion and government. If God is over all, then should God's people submit to a secular authority? Did Jesus have anything to say about that? (You already know he did, so why are so many Christians acting like he didn't?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1esLkNDbMNo

NO RESURRECTION REQUIRED! How Christianity Probably Began.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isnl9A50ySY

 

Top U.S. & World Headlines — June 13, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvkw5QPXc0s/p>

 

White House in PANIC MODE as Parade SCAM IS EXPOSED

Craigslist ad offering to pay people to attend…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwA57yAHygc 

 

How to know what’s true • Richard Carrier Blogs

In this blog post, Dr. Richard Carrier details how to tell what's true, using methods that can be applied to any claims.  In this example, he works out a response to anti-vaxxers: On the Strange Idea That Viruses Don't Exist.

Quoting from his blog post:

I want to impart to you some advice for dealing with any claims in that domain, because there are three "dirty tricks" that all cranks like anti-vaxxers pull that you can look for to catch this happening every time, so you can vet these things yourself and not need someone like me to:

1. They will cite papers that (i) don't actually say what they claim, or (ii) don't actually imply what they claim, or (iii) have been retracted or refuted by subsequent, higher-powered studies, or (iv) have never been independently replicated while the contrary finding has been. This is dishonest and manipulative. So anyone whose argument is mostly built this way is either (a) a liar you should never trust again, or (b) their gullible victim, whose judgment on this matter you shouldn't trust until they get up to speed. And (b) you might be able to help. But for (a), just walk and block.
2. They will make claims you can prove false with ten minutes of effort, and which when thus eliminated, fatally cripple their argument, calling their conclusion (and their competence) into sufficient doubt to walk away (see my Primer on Actually Doing Your Own Research). Don't play their game of having to rebut "everything" they say. A single fatality to their argument is enough to identify it all as a waste of your time; but three is decisive. Any ensuing whining and raging is just emotional manipulation at that point. You don't owe them any more of your time. You can just walk and block.
3. They will make arguments that you can immediately identify as fallacious, and which when thus eliminated, fatally cripple their argument. Here, maybe, they can "fix" the argument, and all they have demonstrated is that they are bad at thinking. Which is not a good sign. But you can give them a chance. Though they only get three. Third strike and they're out. You then know they cannot think. And if they cannot think, nothing they do think is worth the bother of your listening to. Walk and block.

Those three tactics are common to all pseudoscience and every implausible conspiracy, so it's good advice all around. Whether it's flat earth, lizard people, or climate denial. Or, indeed, even Christianity or Islam or woo—or MAGA.

  

https://www.richardcarrier.info/archives/35080