“Health experts say that rural America stands to suffer the most if the Medicaid population shrinks; Mr. Trump’s bill will lead to 11.8 million more uninsured Americans by 2034, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/us/north-carolina-medicaid-cuts.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Read this (if your heart and stomach can stand it). (Gift link) “A List of Nearly Everything in the Senate G.O.P. Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save” https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/30/upshot/senate-republican-megabill.html?unlocked_article_code=1.S08.amUg.LhENxFGWZD_I&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Again, a plea to my former journalist colleagues, especially the broadcasters: refer to it as “the so-called Big Beautiful Bill” (or some similar language). Otherwise, YOU sound like YOU’RE calling it big and beautiful (it’s the former but not the latter, although that’s a different issue). I know that is in fact the name of this monstrosity, but that’s a Joseph Goebbels-like propaganda ploy which you shouldn’t go along with. (I notice many news organizations don’t even mention the name.)

“It’s not the judge’s fault that a correct interpretation of the law meant that, no, you don’t get to do this,” Roberts said. “If it’s just venting because you lost, then that’s not terribly helpful.” Arrogant jerk. https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/28/politics/after-supreme-court-term-chief-justice-roberts-shrugs-off-venting-by-those-who-lost?cid=ios_app

“BBC examining plans that could lead to US consumers paying for its journalism Corporation has been targeting audiences across the Atlantic as it tries to shore up revenue streams” https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jun/15/bbc-examining-plans-that-could-lead-to-us-consumers-paying-for-its-journalism

“Prior to 9-11, Vance had already made several trips to violent areas in the Gaza Strip and West Bank where suicide bombings were taking place,” the site said. “He sought out militant Islamists in order to share the gospel and tell them that violence wasn’t the answer.”
In recent years, Boelter worked in Africa and sought to spread Christianity to “Islamic militants,” according to his LinkedIn profile and other traces of his activity online.” Doubtful. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/06/14/vance-boelter-shooting-suspect-minnesota-lawmakers/

Apalling. But good for Padilla. Glad he didn’t have a dog with him. “California Sen. Alex Padilla forcefully removed from Noem's press conference by security” https://apnews.com/article/alex-padilla-noem-immigration-protest-california-f67d220a0254473c53c16aa96f554239

“How thunderstorms could disrupt the massive Army parade in D.C.
Lightning could pose a danger for the large crowds expected Saturday on the National Mall.” Come on, weather gods! You can do it! https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/06/12/army-parade-dc-forecast-thunderstorms/