Tuesday, April 29
Robert Reich
How you may find yourself on the front line of Trump's crackdown on immigration
Are you willing to hold the line?
Friends,
The most important constraints on the Trump regime during its heinous first hundred days have been (1) federal courts, (2) stock and bond markets, (3) China and its response to Trump’s tariff madness, (4) some state and local governments (in ways I’ll get to in a moment), and (5) we the people (as I’ll also describe).
Trump has temporarily backed down from the tariffs that shook stock and bond markets. He has also backed away from a trade war with China.
Increasingly, though, the Trump regime has ignored federal court orders (see: Abrego Garcia), but has not yet overtly thumbed its nose at the Supreme Court.
What about state and local governments? What about we the people?
Yesterday, Trump signed an executive order targeting local jurisdictions that are not cooperating with its aggressive crackdown on immigration.
At A Glance
Speedboat flips through air at over 200 mph. (w/video)
The science of how soap keeps you clean.
... and what your earwax says about your health.
Violin built in concentration camp reveals hidden note.
Why are so many Southern porch ceilings blue?
Man rescued from Mount Fuji twice in one week.
The reason why a duffel bag is called a duffel.
Fifteen movies to watch in theaters this summer.
Clickbait: Inside America's saddest airport lounge.
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> The 2025 NFL Draft wrapped over the weekend; see draft grades for all 32 teams (More) | QB Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, falls from a predicted first-round pick to the fifth round, one of the biggest slides in draft history (More) | See complete list of all 257 picks (More)
> White House Correspondents' Dinner carries on without comedian headliner after association disinvites Amber Ruffin; Ruffin—a former writer for Seth Meyers—had made comments critical of President Donald Trump (More)
> Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa wins 2025 London Marathon, breaks record for a women's-only race; Kenya's Sabastian Sawe wins the men's race (More) | Liverpool wins English Premier League, beats Tottenham 5-1 (More)
Science & Technology
> Meta's AI-powered "digital companions" can engage in sexually charged conversations even when users identify themselves as minors; some of the avatars were reportedly designed to include "romantic roleplay" behaviors (More) | Learn more about generative AI (More)
> Researchers identify antibiotic capable of treating Lyme disease at 1% of the dosage required in current best-in-class drugs; low dosages also decrease the impact on healthy gut bacteria (More) | Zoonotic diseases 101 (More)
> Oldest-known ant specimen discovered in Brazil; 113-million-year-old fire ant fossil sheds light on early insect evolution (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher Friday (S&P 500 +0.7%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq +1.3%); tech earnings expected to drive markets this week (More)
> Slate unveils electric pickup truck expected to cost $20K after incentives when it goes to market next year; truck does not have touch screen, stereo (More)
> California surpasses Japan as world's fourth-largest economy, with a nominal gross domestic product of $4.1T, per report from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> An explosion at Iran's largest port kills at least 40 people and wounds over 1,200 others; local authorities blame a shipment of missile propellant chemicals (More) | Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 89, names close ally as his vice president and likely successor (More)
> Virginia Giuffre, who prominently accused Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, dies at age 41; family says she died by suicide (More)
> Black Hawk helicopter pilot ignored calls to change course seconds before colliding with passenger jet near Washington DC airport in January, new report finds; the collision killed 67 people (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Stress and Anxiety
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Whether we want to admit it or not, working in the marketplace creates a lot of stress. It does not matter if you own the company and people work for you or someone else owns the company and you work for them, there is still STRESS.
There will always be someone telling you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it, regardless of what position you have. Even if you are the CEO of a company, you still must report to a Board of Directors and if your company is public and sells stock, then you are accountable to the stockholders, especially the ones who own a majority interest.
If you are a consultant, then the people or company that hires you, tells you what to do and bitches at you if it is not done the way they expect... threatening you with a bad referral in the hopes of ruining your business.
Those of you that are married, understand what it is like to live with someone if you don't agree on a direction, especially if there are children involved or if you are heavily in debt.
It is easy to see how the working person turns to alcohol and drugs or pills to offset the stress that is occurring in their lives. In some cases, stress can cause the mentally weak one to want to commit suicide to end the stress of living.
EGOS cause more stress than you can imagine, and I would submit that the bigger the ego, the more stress that person will encounter during their lifetime.
Someone is getting wealthy off of our stress and anxiety or depression. In case you are wondering that market in 2024 was $3.21 BILLION...
In 2015, my wife and I retired and by 2020, I could tell that my levels of stress and anxiety had diminished significantly. My sleep was more intense and relaxing. There were no worries unless I had to undergo an MRI without sedation. My cats noticed the change and wanted to spend more time with me.
Now, it still bothers me when my wife tells me how to mow the lawn, but I just ignore her suggestions and still sleep like a baby. lol
Legendary Nobel Prize winning physicist explains why intelligent people make the worst decisions
Richard Feynman is one of the top scientific minds in modern history. He was invited to participate in the Manhattan Project, helping develop the first atomic bomb. When the Challenger shuttle tragically exploded, it was Feynman who figured out what went wrong to prevent future NASA disasters. He was even given the Nobel Prize for his work in physics for essentially remaking the concept of quantum electrodynamics. He was also riddled with self doubt, incredibly unsure of himself, and criticized people of high intelligence.
Why was this so? Well, because in his mind and in life, people who are highly intelligent tend to rely on their intelligence to the point in which they make mistakes in judgment. In trusting in their own smarts, something gets overlooked or a mistake is made—but it's covered over in pride. They could also become too afraid of asking the right questions that could lead to the next answer. Some argue that Feynman’s greatest scientific finding wasn’t in physics, but in human ignorance and ego.
Monday, April 28
Robert Reich
The first 100 days: Why we must mobilize
Now is the time for all of us to become activists and force this despicable regime out of office
Friends,
Today is the start of the 14th week of the odious Trump regime. Wednesday will mark its first 100 days.
The U.S. Constitution is in peril. Civil and human rights are being trampled upon. The economy is in disarray.
At this rate, we won’t make it through the second hundred days.
Federal judges in more than 120 cases so far have sought to stop Trump — judges appointed by Republicans as well as Democrats, some appointed by Trump himself — but the regime is either ignoring or appealing their orders. It has even arrested a municipal judge in Milwaukee who merely sought to hear a case involving an undocumented defendant.
At A Glance
Oldest known US rock is 3.6 billion years old.
Titanic letter auctioned for almost $400K.
World's largest rogue wave sends buoy up 58 feet.
See the rarest baby name in your state.
Inside the Dutch village designed for people with dementia.
Endangered "dinosaur tree" bears fruit in couple's garden.
The US island speaking Elizabethan English.
Man unintentionally buys back his stolen car.
Clickbait: Why speaks like this, Yoda does.
Exploring Horse Racing
The story of ultra-successful horse trainer Bob Baffert
Few names are as synonymous with American horse racing as Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. He has trained seven Kentucky Derby winners and two Triple Crown winners. But he also amassed over 30 drug violations in his career. This LA Times article dives into the suspensions and bans, and gives Baffert a space to defend his complex legacy. Read here.
A journalist recounts anecdotes of Secretariat's career and life
This Sports Illustrated article from 1990 dives into the deeply personal connection between renowned sports writer William Nack and legendary horse Secretariat. Using masterful storytelling, Nack discusses the horse's personality and temperament, highlighting his playful yet focused nature. Explore the details of the iconic horse's life here.
The economics of horse racing
The Triple Crown races last less than three minutes, but the training and resources needed to create a winning thoroughbred are extensive. This Fox Business article dives into the costs associated with owning and training a racehorse, which can range from $1,000 to over $1 million. Learn the numbers behind the events here.
The long shot victory of Rich Strike at the Derby
Thanks to a last-minute scratch by Ethereal Road, Rich Strike made the 2022 Kentucky Derby field. He only had one win out of six races prior, and was listed as an 80-1 long shot. This USA Today article lays out the favorable draw and strategic ride that led to the biggest upset since 1913. Watch the wire-to-wire replay of his historic comeback here.
The artist who paints Preakness winners in silk
Since 1988, Lawrence Jones has climbed into Pimlico’s cherry picker to paint the Preakness winner’s silks on its iconic weathervane—a tradition born in 1909. This America’s Best Racing profiles Jones, a retired graphic artist, and how he has to meticulously paint the weathervane, even under challenging conditions. Learn the rich history of the event here.
The art of race strategy from a jockey’s perspective
Racing a thoroughbred isn’t just about riding a horse as fast as you can. There is a complex racing strategy that forces jockeys to balance aggression and patience, conserving energy for that final stretch. This article explores the split-second decisions jockeys make during high-pressure races and moves they make to outsmart their opponents.
Few names are as synonymous with American horse racing as Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. He has trained seven Kentucky Derby winners and two Triple Crown winners. But he also amassed over 30 drug violations in his career. This LA Times article dives into the suspensions and bans, and gives Baffert a space to defend his complex legacy. Read here.
A journalist recounts anecdotes of Secretariat's career and life
This Sports Illustrated article from 1990 dives into the deeply personal connection between renowned sports writer William Nack and legendary horse Secretariat. Using masterful storytelling, Nack discusses the horse's personality and temperament, highlighting his playful yet focused nature. Explore the details of the iconic horse's life here.
The economics of horse racing
The Triple Crown races last less than three minutes, but the training and resources needed to create a winning thoroughbred are extensive. This Fox Business article dives into the costs associated with owning and training a racehorse, which can range from $1,000 to over $1 million. Learn the numbers behind the events here.
The long shot victory of Rich Strike at the Derby
Thanks to a last-minute scratch by Ethereal Road, Rich Strike made the 2022 Kentucky Derby field. He only had one win out of six races prior, and was listed as an 80-1 long shot. This USA Today article lays out the favorable draw and strategic ride that led to the biggest upset since 1913. Watch the wire-to-wire replay of his historic comeback here.
The artist who paints Preakness winners in silk
Since 1988, Lawrence Jones has climbed into Pimlico’s cherry picker to paint the Preakness winner’s silks on its iconic weathervane—a tradition born in 1909. This America’s Best Racing profiles Jones, a retired graphic artist, and how he has to meticulously paint the weathervane, even under challenging conditions. Learn the rich history of the event here.
The art of race strategy from a jockey’s perspective
Racing a thoroughbred isn’t just about riding a horse as fast as you can. There is a complex racing strategy that forces jockeys to balance aggression and patience, conserving energy for that final stretch. This article explores the split-second decisions jockeys make during high-pressure races and moves they make to outsmart their opponents.
LUCK & Being Prepared
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So, here's the thing... I am not sure if I believe this...
WHY?
For one, there have been several documented cases where people missed airline flights that crashed because of forces that were beyond their control to anticipate or PREPARE for.
On the other side of the coin, the more we perform DUE DILLIGENCE, the better prepared we are to take advantage of unexpected situations as they occur.
So, the quote can be proved to be accurate for both sets of beliefs... it just is not true is ALL SITUATIONS.
With that said, it is better to be prepared than not to be prepared.
- A carpenter measures twice and cuts once.
- Students are better prepared for class when they do their homework.
- A family is likely to be more satisfied if they know where they are going on their vacation.
- Buying a home or car should only be done after proper research has been conducted.
LUCK, unfortunately and/or fortunately is part of life and it is something that, in my opinion, we just have to accept.
Gamma-ray bursts reveal largest structure in the universe is bigger and closer to Earth than we knew
The universe's largest structure, the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall, was already a challenge to explain with models of the universe due to its incredibly vast size — and now, using the most powerful blasts of energy in the universe, Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), astronomers have discovered this structure is even bigger than they realized. Plus, the team even found that parts of the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall are actually closer to Earth than previously suspected.
The Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall is a so-called "supercluster" of galaxies; it's a filament of the cosmic web around which the first galaxies in the universe gathered and grew. Its name was coined by Johndric Valdez, a Filipino teenager who aspires to be an astronomer. That name isn't very literal, however. This is because the round-shaped Great Wall spans not just the constellations Hercules and Corona Borealis but also the region of the celestial sphere from the constellations Boötes to Gemini.
Sunday, April 27
Robert Reich
Sunday thought
Cry, the beloved country
Friends,
I know how upset you are about what Trump is doing to our nation and the hardship he’s bringing to millions of innocent people, every day.
As outrage mixes with sadness, we feel the magnitude of our loss. Several of you weep at what’s happening. I have wept too.
But I urge you not to dwell solely on the loss. We have much to do.
Our first responsibility is to help protect the people in our communities who are most vulnerable to this regime. ICE is now arresting, abducting, and deporting some of our neighbors and friends. It is ignoring their rights to due process. It is spreading fear among international students. (The FBI even arrested a Milwaukee Circuit Court judge who tried to protect an undocumented immigrant in her courtroom.)
We can help ensure they know their rights by getting them red cards in their own languages. We can help prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE (especially in access to schools, hospitals, courts, and other necessary facilities) by getting our mayors and city councilors to join us. We can give vulnerable people in our communities our moral — and, if possible, financial — support.
Society & Culture
> Reflecting on Pope Francis' unique legacy.
> Answering any and every question you've had about tomatoes.
> Looking back at the evolution of dance music.
> A nostalgic ode to roadside attractions.
> A contestant's 24-year wait to win "Jeopardy."
World History
> New details about the Titanic's final hours.
> Test your world history knowledge with this interactive map quiz.
> The world's most unusual churches.
> Revisiting the mysterious circumstances of Christopher Marlowe's death.
> How New York's stoops originated.
Business & Finance
> The top 10% own 93% of stocks in America.
> Understanding the influencer economy.
> What is behavioral economics?
> Why some Pokémon cards are worth millions.
> How the "Costco effect" works.
Health & Medicine
> Young people are ditching booze and going to saunas.
> The reason allergies flare up more in some cities than others.
> Why love is about more than finding "the one."
> The importance of building psychological flexibility as a leader.
> Sugar rushes are a myth, but sugar crashes are real.
Science & Technology
> Could extraterrestrial technology be in our solar system?
> How diamonds are formed.
> The volcanic eruption threatening a dreamy Greek island.
> Dispelling misconceptions about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
> How trees get classified.
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