Lead Paragraph:
A White House report brands the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, especially at the National Museum of American History, as radical activists who cannot be trusted, indicating that President Donald Trump may be preparing to install his own team.
Years of running casinos trains a person to distract and extract money from visitors while they make money hand over fist because the house always wins...the latter is constantly adjusted up. Of course all patrons are continuously surveilled. The USA as a casino?
Excerpts:
To the extent the decision is up to Trump, the United States that his speech celebrated on July 4 will exist no more.
Trump is building an American future oriented toward authoritarian and corrupt states: Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia. Democratic allies are treated, at best, as subjects to be bullied and, at worst, as targets to be carved up into new American territories.
Under Donald Trump, the United States has fought military conflicts in Venezuela and Iran. It nearly fought a war with Denmark to seize Greenland. It often speaks of annexing all or part of Canada. It has waged economic war on allies and partners in violation of international trade agreements and domestic law. Soon the United States may be engaged in a war in Cuba. Already, the U.S. has cut back aid to Ukraine as that country fights for its survival and freedom. Trump has repeatedly made clear that the goal of his wars is plunder: that he wishes to seize oil and other resources. In turn, the course of his most ambitious war, with Iran, appears to have been swayed by client states, which have made payments to him and his associates.
"What separates Democracy from Monarchy, from Dictatorship, is the Fundamental Right to Vote. This is a Government for the People. Let's Go Defend It."
Abstract
This study examines three Byzantine-period amphora carriers (Knidos F, L, and N) discovered off the coast of Knidos within the context of Eastern Mediterranean maritime trade. The research is based on deep-water surveys conducted by ROVs from the E/V Nautilus, combined with seabed mapping and typological analysis of amphora assemblages. The Knidos F and L wrecks carried predominantly Günsenin Type I amphorae and date to the 10th–12th centuries, reflecting the revival of Byzantine maritime commerce. Knidos N represents a later, likely 13th-century context with a distinct amphora assemblage. Together, these wrecks highlight the continued commercial significance of the Carian maritime corridor in Byzantine shipping networks.
Keywords: deep sea research; amphorae; maritime trade; Byzantium
Excerpt:
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s wife reportedly traveled to China just three days after he received CPR following an apparent heart attack.
Elaine Chao, 73, who has been married to the 84-year-old Republican lawmaker since 1993 and formerly served as transportation secretary in the first Trump administration, traveled to Beijing and met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng just days after McConnell’s hospitalization.
https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zmgx/zxxx/202607/t20260702_11956191.htm
Excerpt:
America’s two greatest presidents shared an intense conviction: that a republic depends on some measure of virtue in its citizens and some measure of integrity in its leaders. Without them, the temple of liberty will fall.
Perspectives on the U.S. war with Iran from European Union, NATO, and British viewpoints.
This video presentation broadens the range of sources for understanding international relations beyond news reporting, analysis, and think tanks to include political satire and entertainment. The rapid, staccato delivery captures many of the themes and criticisms we have encountered across multiple European sources, weaving them into a profane but often persuasive commentary.
From a scholarly perspective this satire reveals how some people may view the War on Iran. See for a review of his show: Theatre Tonic. https://jonathanpie.com/theatre-tonic/
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Excerpt:
The great tragedy is that many of the problems Trump identifies are real, and so many of the hurts he exploits demand serious thought and measured action—from governments, yes, but also from community leaders and individuals. Yet so long as people rely on that quick high, so long as wolves point their fingers at everyone but themselves, the nation delays a necessary reckoning. There is no self-reflection in the midst of a false euphoria. Trump is cultural heroin. He makes some feel better for a bit. But he cannot fix what ails them, and one day they’ll realize it.
Amazing summary of Iran War...from a comedian.
BRUSSELS (AP) — Dozens of diamonds spell out two giant letter T’s next to the Stars and Stripes and “1776” and “2026.” Dozens more frame the numbers 45 and 47 in the shape of Superman’s logo. A diamond-winged eagle carries a ruby shield and clutches an olive branch of emeralds, below a radiant “250” and atop the phrase “250 YEARS USA” etched in 18-karat gold.
All told, 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds and six rubies encrust the watch-sized gold ring presented this week to Bill White, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, to give to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Concluding Paragraph:
If independent voters are genuinely moderate and heavily favor compromise, expanding their legal right to vote in primaries might alter the entire political landscape. Institutional reforms that grant unaffiliated individuals better ballot access could theoretically reward more moderate politicians. Understanding exactly who these unaligned voters are provides a foundation for any future efforts aiming to reduce the hostility in American politics.
Funny how the story keeps evolving. First it was, “They caused the chemical attack and put the algae there themselves.” Then it became, “There’s proof a violent leftist cut a 350-foot gash.” Now it’s, “They’re attacking all our monuments.” Last I heard, the communists were behind it.
Meanwhile, wasn’t Trump supposed to be ending a war through negotiation last week? Funny how that story disappeared from the news cycle the moment a new outrage was needed.
Gifted Read:
"Throughout the city, there are government signs proclaiming, We are making DC safe and beautiful."
Lead Lines:
A former Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where a renovation project he launched has been riddled with problems.
David Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court.
District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant on the pool in “a deliberate act” that caused more than $1,000 in damage. She accused him of “forcefully and violently” pulling up the bottom liner “with both hands” and acting belligerently toward an employee who told him to stop.
“This is a case with tremendous evidence,” she said, adding that authorities have made about six other misdemeanor arrests.
Perhaps the current regime finds this myth not useful?
"The cherry tree myth is one of the oldest and best-known legends about George Washington. In the original story, when Washington was six years old, he received a hatchet as a gift and damaged his father’s cherry tree with it. When his father discovered what George had done, he became angry. Young George bravely said, “I cannot tell a lie…I did cut it with my hatchet.” Washington’s father embraced him and declared that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees."
https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/cherry-tree-myth
"A photo of the architectural plans obtained by The Washington Post and The New York Times appeared to show the East Potomac Golf Links covering the entirety of East Potomac Park and cutting into the historic grove of cherry trees."