Another in a (generally ) weekly series of posts with interesting reading / viewing material (note: some linked articles contain adult language).
We’re all a bit overwhelmed by the steady flow of dread in the news — it’s my contention that there are just a handful of key stories in the news each week, but we’re flooded by a million “hot takes” on those few things. So I’m organizing these posts along the lines of (no more than) 5 things a week. Look over the things’ titles, see which of them are of interest, read into them as far as you want to go — an easy way to implement a media diet!
Thing 1 — Justice, and the lack thereof
The Virginia Supreme Court struck down revised voting maps that had been instituted by voter approval — this, coupled with last weeks’ U. S. Supreme Court decision eviscerating the Voting Rights Act fired off a flood of gerrymandering in the South. It may net Republicans only 6 House seats in the upcoming midterms, but it’s devastating for minority and poor voters in old Confederate states.
The GOP lit the match. The Supreme Court banned the fire department.
Inside the redistricting apocalypse
My Daily Editorial Note (Macfarlane News)
Tennessee redistricting plan splits Memphis neighbors and reshapes midterms as other states follow
Supreme Court Used Bullsh*t Data From DOJ Hacks To Kill Voting Rights Act, Surprise!
The Receipts Have Lifetime Appointments
Thing 2 — The Iran “excursion”
The mess in Iran, whatever you call it, continues to neither go well (for the U.S.) nor to actually end. Trump announced a plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, only to have Saudi Arabia put the kibosh to it. And it turns out that Trump and Hegseth have been lying to us all along — the toll of damage to U.S. assets and personnel have been far higher than they admitted to. Meanwhile, some unexpected impacts of the non-war are starting to make themselves felt as well.
US, Iran no closer to ending war as Gulf clashes flare
US military says it intercepted Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz
US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect
US denies Iranian report warship was struck by missiles
Damning Intel Leak Reveals How Trump Is Failing in His Main War Mission
Trump shelved ‘Project Freedom’ after Saudis refused use of bases and airspace
Manic Trump’s Scramble to Fix Catastrophe Immediately Backfires
Trump Hurls Top Goons Under the Bus With Humiliating U-Turn
‘Not a good sign’ Trump’s White House was blindsided by CIA’s Iran report: ex-diplomat
The Return of the Credibility Gap
What India’s Diet Coke Shortage Means for the U.S.
Thing 3 — Trump’s poll numbers continue to drop
Trump’s approval ratings plummet amid Iran war and sky-high gas prices, poll finds
Trump’s Approval Rating Plunges So Low It Breaks Pollster’s Graph
Delusional Trump, 79, Rages at Embarrassing ‘Fake’ Poll Numbers