Tuesday, April 15
Monday, April 14
Robert Reich
The American oligarchy is petrified by Trump’s economic chaos but careful not to criticize him directly
Friends,
As tens of millions of Americans hussle to pay their taxes, Trump has put the entire global economy into chaos. 401(k)s are tanking, savings are shrinking, treasury bonds are losing value, supply chains are convulsing.
Even America’s oligarchs are petrified. They contributed millions to Trump’s inauguration. Many invested heavily in his campaign. They lavished praise on the new president and have supported his every move — in order to benefit from his promised big tax cut.
But the chaos he’s unleashed on the world economy is causing many of them to go public with their worries.
“Obviously,” Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase’s chief executive, said in a conference call with reporters, “the China stuff is significant. We don’t know the full effect.”
But we do know that global investors are fleeing Treasury bonds, which had been the safest place to put money in the world. That may not be the full effect, but it’s a huge and frightening one.
At A Glance
The unique items in Uber's lost and found.
How to snag a reservation at the 17 toughest dinner spots.
Residents fight to reclaim Brownsville, Pennsylvania.
The most popular language to learn in each country.
America's hottest neighborhoods in 2025.
... and how old churches can solve the country's housing crisis.
Can we use depleted uranium for everyday batteries?
The science of cordyceps, the parasitic costar of HBO's "Last of Us" (w/video).
Clickbait: Experts debate cats' fear of cucumbers.
Explore the Founding Generation
The American Revolution in happiness
The founding figures of the United States placed happiness at the center of good governance. This podcast explores the central place human flourishing played in the revolution, highlighting the influence of Greek and Roman moral philosophy on the founders’ constitutional ideas. Expert Jeffrey Rosen weighs in with surprising tidbits. Listen here.
Shays’ Rebellion: the revolt against the revolution
The Revolutionary War led to independence as well as significant debt for most states. In 1786, a group of veterans and farmers from western Massachusetts protested against the state government’s increased taxes. Led by Daniel Shays, the group attempted to capture an armory in Springfield but failed—and two men were hanged. Watch this video for more.
The impact of coffee on revolutionary America
In colonial America, coffee and politics were inextricably intertwined. Coffeehouses had long been places for revolutionary thinkers to gather, and the colonies were no exception: Boston’s Green Dragon coffeehouse was known as the “Headquarters of the Revolution” because Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty used it as a meeting place. Read here.
Peggy Shippen, the highest-paid spy of the American Revolution
Few names conjure up the idea of betrayal more than Benedict Arnold, the notorious American military officer who was caught attempting to hand over West Point to the British during the Revolutionary War. This podcast episode dives into the key role his wife, wealthy spy Peggy Shippen, played in the plot. Listen to the full episode here.
Who were the Sons of Liberty?
The radical, patriotic Sons of Liberty were born in response to British taxation in the American colonies during the 1760s. Its members included major revolutionary figures Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock, and their resistance efforts led to the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766 and the broader revolution. Read about this key revolutionary group here.
A virtual tour of Philadelphia’s American Revolution Museum
Philadelphia’s Old City hosts one of the largest museums on the American Revolution. This virtual tour allows you to view the museum’s exhibits as if you were really there by zooming in on descriptions, browsing images, and learning about artifacts, portraits, and more. Travel back in time with this high-quality set of exhibits.
The founding figures of the United States placed happiness at the center of good governance. This podcast explores the central place human flourishing played in the revolution, highlighting the influence of Greek and Roman moral philosophy on the founders’ constitutional ideas. Expert Jeffrey Rosen weighs in with surprising tidbits. Listen here.
Shays’ Rebellion: the revolt against the revolution
The Revolutionary War led to independence as well as significant debt for most states. In 1786, a group of veterans and farmers from western Massachusetts protested against the state government’s increased taxes. Led by Daniel Shays, the group attempted to capture an armory in Springfield but failed—and two men were hanged. Watch this video for more.
The impact of coffee on revolutionary America
In colonial America, coffee and politics were inextricably intertwined. Coffeehouses had long been places for revolutionary thinkers to gather, and the colonies were no exception: Boston’s Green Dragon coffeehouse was known as the “Headquarters of the Revolution” because Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty used it as a meeting place. Read here.
Peggy Shippen, the highest-paid spy of the American Revolution
Few names conjure up the idea of betrayal more than Benedict Arnold, the notorious American military officer who was caught attempting to hand over West Point to the British during the Revolutionary War. This podcast episode dives into the key role his wife, wealthy spy Peggy Shippen, played in the plot. Listen to the full episode here.
Who were the Sons of Liberty?
The radical, patriotic Sons of Liberty were born in response to British taxation in the American colonies during the 1760s. Its members included major revolutionary figures Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock, and their resistance efforts led to the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766 and the broader revolution. Read about this key revolutionary group here.
A virtual tour of Philadelphia’s American Revolution Museum
Philadelphia’s Old City hosts one of the largest museums on the American Revolution. This virtual tour allows you to view the museum’s exhibits as if you were really there by zooming in on descriptions, browsing images, and learning about artifacts, portraits, and more. Travel back in time with this high-quality set of exhibits.
Selling Your Vehicle
.jpg)
My wife and I purchased a leased 2015 Toyota Venza XLE in 2016 and when the vehicle reached 100,000 miles in 2025, we decided to sell it. The bluebook value for our vehicle was right around 12K with a retail value of 15K. The dealer wanted to give us 9.5K and we sold it ourselves for 11.5K.
Our vehicle is in excellent shape to be 10 years old with only 102,000 miles on the odometer which averages to 10K/year. We had the vehicle maintenanced according to the Toyota recommended schedule and the vehicle has never been in an accident. We kept it almost spotless inside.
The main reason that we want to get a new vehicle was not because it was 10 years old, or it was out of style, or no longer comfortable, but because as I get older, my driving skills have dimenished and I need a warning light on my side mirror which the 2015 did not have. I have been honked at numerous times for unsafely changing into my left lane.
My wife and I designed an advertisement that we posted on Facebook's Marketplace and we had an offer in less than 3 hours. While we could have held out for more money, it is doubtful that we would have gptten much above 12K, and our buyer was willing to pay cash... that we had checked at the bank to make sure all bills were legit.
Two items here to think about.
One - use Facebook Marketplace when selling or buying
Two - maintenance your vehicle according to the recommended schedule and keep it clean, in case you want to resell.
Rogueclassicism
Rogueclassicism is a movement or blog that brings the study of the ancient world, particularly Greece and Rome, to a wider audience beyond the academic setting. It aims to make classical studies accessible to the incarcerated, veterans, and underprivileged children, offering "intellectual life-lines". The movement also explores unconventional topics and interpretations within the field of Classics, as exemplified by a blog post about the rarity of stories about animal ghosts in ancient Greece and Rome.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Breaking Down the Academy:
Rogueclassicism seeks to move Classics out of the ivory tower of academia and into the lives of people who may not have access to formal education or are in challenging situations.
Reaching Underprivileged Groups:
The movement focuses on individuals who may be incarcerated, veterans, or children with limited access to quality education.
Exploring Unconventional Classics:
Beyond its focus on accessibility, Rogueclassicism also tackles topics that are not traditionally considered part of Classics, such as the depiction of animal ghosts in ancient Greek and Roman culture.
Origin and Evolution:
The term "rogueclassicism" originated in the late 1990s as a signature file on a Classics listserv. With the rise of blogging, the movement was resurrected, with the blog becoming a platform for exploring various aspects of the classical world.
Sunday, April 13
Robert Reich
Sunday thought
Fighting the regime’s cruelty
Friends,
It’s been another grueling week.
Several of you have asked me how to live in a nation whose leader has embraced cruelty as public policy. How do we inhabit Trump’s America without becoming complicit in this cruelty?
Molly watched Trump sign the executive order initiating criminal investigations of Miles Taylor (who wrote an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed describing internal resistance to Trump in his first term) and Christopher Krebs (who played a major role in undercutting Trump’s false claims about 2020 election fraud).
Molly asks: Is this America?
No, Molly, it is not — at least not the America we have known and loved.
Others of you are thunderstruck by Trump’s cruelty toward refugees who fled violence and have been living in the United States legally but are now being forced to return to their home countries and face more violence.
At A Glance
Society & Culture
> Why Canadians say "eh."
> Why Canadians say "eh."
> What is pumpernickel bread?
> Monet's stepdaughter, Blanche, was a world-class artist, too.
> Listen to a polyphonic feast in Lakushdi, Georgia.
> The two-decade Elton John-Madonna feud, explained.
World History
> The mystery of obsidian and magnetite in birds and Toltec culture.
> A history of the manicule, or the little hands used in typography.
> What did democracy really mean in ancient Athens?
> A reading of choice graffiti messages on ancient Roman walls.
> Yes, there were hospitals in medieval times.
Business & Finance
> The matchmakers serving the elite of Silicon Valley.
> Mapping the world's largest silver miners.
> The design company responsible for over 2,000 Irish pubs worldwide.
> How WellHub founder Cesar Carvalho is investing in wellness.
> The investors looking toward the ocean as the true final frontier.
Health & Medicine
> How epileptic seizures can potentially alter consciousness.
> Measles can weaken immune cell memory.
> Is there a sperm count and fertility crisis?
> Why marriages are more at risk when the woman is sick.
> What is bipolar disorder?
Science & Technology
> What if we threw our trash into volcanoes?
> How the beaver became Canada's national symbol.
> Footage of Firefly Aerospace's successful moon landing last month.
> How Cristina Roccati became a "prince" of 18th-century Italian science.
> The high-tech engineering within the epic Roman Colosseum.
> Monet's stepdaughter, Blanche, was a world-class artist, too.
> Listen to a polyphonic feast in Lakushdi, Georgia.
> The two-decade Elton John-Madonna feud, explained.
World History
> The mystery of obsidian and magnetite in birds and Toltec culture.
> A history of the manicule, or the little hands used in typography.
> What did democracy really mean in ancient Athens?
> A reading of choice graffiti messages on ancient Roman walls.
> Yes, there were hospitals in medieval times.
Business & Finance
> The matchmakers serving the elite of Silicon Valley.
> Mapping the world's largest silver miners.
> The design company responsible for over 2,000 Irish pubs worldwide.
> How WellHub founder Cesar Carvalho is investing in wellness.
> The investors looking toward the ocean as the true final frontier.
Health & Medicine
> How epileptic seizures can potentially alter consciousness.
> Measles can weaken immune cell memory.
> Is there a sperm count and fertility crisis?
> Why marriages are more at risk when the woman is sick.
> What is bipolar disorder?
Science & Technology
> What if we threw our trash into volcanoes?
> How the beaver became Canada's national symbol.
> Footage of Firefly Aerospace's successful moon landing last month.
> How Cristina Roccati became a "prince" of 18th-century Italian science.
> The high-tech engineering within the epic Roman Colosseum.
In The NEWS
China raises retaliatory tariff on American goods to 125% from 84%.
The new tariff is set to go into effect today and comes after the US raised its cumulative tariff on Chinese imports to 145%. The world's two biggest economies haven't signaled any immediate plans for trade negotiations. China is expected to file another lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the US tariffs. Trade between China and the US reached $583B last year, with a $295B US deficit. See an explainer on how tariffs could impact the US and global economy here.
Spanish Siemens executive and family killed in Hudson River crash.
Agustín Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children (all under the age of 11) were aboard the helicopter, along with the pilot, when it broke apart midair and crashed in the Hudson River Thursday. The family had been flying along a popular route showcasing the New York City skyline as part of a birthday trip for Camprubí Montal. See video of the crash here (warning—sensitive).
Separately, all three people aboard a small plane were killed Friday when the aircraft crashed in Boca Raton, Florida, due to mechanical issues.
Blue Origin's upcoming all-female spaceflight to launch Monday.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin NS-31 mission is set to be the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when the Soviet Union’s Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space during a three-day solo mission. The crew will launch from West Texas and includes aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, activist Amanda Nguyễn, CBS Mornings host Gayle King, pop singer Katy Perry, and former TV host and Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sánchez.
Ancient jawbone found in sea linked to mysterious human ancestors.
A fossilized jawbone discovered off Taiwan's coast has been identified as belonging to a Denisovan, marking the first confirmed presence of this ancient human relative in Southeast Asia. The finding, based on protein analysis, expands the Denisovans' known habitat range from Siberia and Tibet to subtropical regions, highlighting their adaptability. Explore the human family tree here.
Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell appeals case to Supreme Court.
Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for aiding Jeffrey Epstein in the sexual abuse of underage girls, has petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn her conviction, arguing she was protected by Epstein's 2007 nonprosecution agreement. Her appeal follows repeated rejections by lower courts, which ruled the deal applied only within Florida and didn't shield her from prosecution in New York.
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Christians
Why would I think that?
Well... look at the state of the world, look at the state of the USA, look at the state that the state in which you live is in...
- Why is there so much hate?
- Why is there so much crime?
- Why is there such a problem with illegal drugs?
- Why is there so much divorce?
If the Christians that attend church each Sunday were really the Christians that they profess to be, do you think we would really be in the shape that we are in???
Why is there such an animosity between labor and management if our Christians managers were the kind of Christians they claim to be???
For instance...
I was a professor at a CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY...
My Dean, Provost, VP of Academics all of whom were PhD and extreme Christians were the worst people I had ever come across in how they treated the people they hired. They were all vindictive, back-stabbing, cut-throat, and self-serving.
What I have seen during my 77 years of life is that MOST CHRISTIANS DON'T PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH...
A 56-Qubit Quantum Computer Just Did What No Supercomputer Can
Researchers have achieved a major quantum computing breakthrough: certified randomness, a process where a quantum computer generates truly random numbers, which are then proven to be genuinely random by classical supercomputers.
This innovation has deep implications for cryptography, fairness, and security, and marks a shift from theoretical potential to practical, real-world applications of quantum advantage.
Milestone in Quantum Computing Unveiled
In a new study published in Nature, researchers from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and The University of Texas at Austin report a major milestone in quantum computing, with promising implications for cryptography, data privacy, and fairness.
In a new study published in Nature, researchers from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and The University of Texas at Austin report a major milestone in quantum computing, with promising implications for cryptography, data privacy, and fairness.
Saturday, April 12
Robert Reich
Is Trump Fu*king the Economy? | The Coffee Klatch for April 12, 2025
With Heather Lofthouse and yours truly, Robert Reich
Friends,
Today, Heather and I take a deep dive into this week’s wild ride in the stock and bond markets — why it occurred and what it means. Ten and a half weeks ago, the American and world economies were in fairly good shape, but now there’s a serious risk of what’s called “stagflation.” Tens of millions of people could be seriously hurt. And even more will be hurt if the Republican budget plan goes through, cutting Medicaid and/or Medicare and/or Social Security. So what should be done? What should Democrats do? How will all this end?
At A Glance
> $3M: What NASA is offering to anyone who can recycle poop in space.
> 10%: The percentage of all apartments in the US that are owned by private equity.
Browse
> Why do cowboys say "yee-haw?"
> Ranking minerals and gems—from softest to hardest.
> New York City's first new subway map in decades.
> The 10 colors everyone is painting their homes.
> Why our fingers wrinkle in water.
Listen
> The 270-day life of the weird, gelatinous orb known as the placenta.
Watch
> Meet the staff of the real "White Lotus" hotel in Thailand.
> The evolution of every type of eye in the animal kingdom.
> Geese prevent golfers from retrieving their golf balls.
Long Read
> How stress affects tumors and shapes cancer's course.
> Madness, melancholy, or murder: an investigation into the 50-year-old mystery of the Luxton siblings who died on a farm.
Most Clicked This Week: What is your state's median household income?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)