Despite a poll revealing over 60% of French citizens support boycotting American products due to Trump-era policies and trade tariffs, observable consumer behavior in Paris shows limited impact. While some higher-income, politically engaged individuals are actively participating, many consumers prioritize convenience and brand preference, continuing to purchase American goods. This discrepancy highlights a gap between stated intentions and actual purchasing habits, with the long-term impact of the boycott remaining uncertain. The movement, however, has fostered a “France and Europe first” sentiment among some citizens.
Read More
This executive order mandates a review of all Department of the Interior properties to identify monuments, memorials, etc., removed or altered since January 1, 2020. The review will specifically address whether such removals or changes perpetuate a false narrative of American history, downplay significant events or figures, or reflect partisan bias. A key implication is the potential reinstatement of Confederate statues, many of which were removed following 2020 BLM protests. Furthermore, the order singles out the African American history museum for allegedly promoting harmful ideologies.
Read More
The US-Canada trade war, fueled by tariffs imposed by both countries, is significantly impacting Kentucky’s bourbon industry, particularly Brough Brothers Distillery, the state’s only Black-owned bourbon distillery. This has resulted in a sharp decline in exports to Canada and a deluge of hateful emails to the distillery’s owners. While some Kentucky residents, despite economic hardship, remain supportive of President Trump’s trade policies, others express concern about the unintended consequences and the damage to US-Canada relations. Governor Beshear and other Kentucky politicians, regardless of party affiliation, oppose the tariffs and advocate for a swift resolution. The situation highlights the unintended consequences of trade disputes and the challenges faced by businesses caught in the crossfire.
Read More
Texas reported 73 new measles cases, bringing the total to over 400, with the majority concentrated in Gaines County. Forty-one hospitalizations and two deaths, both in unvaccinated individuals, have been linked to the outbreak, which began in late January. While two vaccinated individuals contracted measles, the overwhelming majority of cases involve unvaccinated people. The state continues to provide updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Read More
A proposed ban on barcodes on ballots, potentially driven by a desire to slow down vote counting, presents a complex issue with significant implications. The idea seems to stem from a belief that delaying the vote count could create opportunities for political manipulation and unrest. This delay could provide more time to challenge the legitimacy of the count, potentially leading to a chaotic situation where claims of fraud are amplified and used to undermine the election outcome.
This strategy plays into a broader pattern of undermining faith in democratic processes. By intentionally slowing down the process, the intention might be to sow discord and distrust, enabling the exertion of influence on the final result.… Continue reading
Following a lawsuit, newly released records reveal South Dakota spent over $150,000 on former Governor Kristi Noem’s travel, much of which was unrelated to state business and included trips for political events and personal activities. These expenses, totaling over $640,000 during her tenure, sparked outrage among state Republicans, who criticized the use of taxpayer funds for personal gain. While Noem’s office claims security costs were justified, critics argue that campaign funds should have covered expenses tied to her political ambitions. The lack of transparency surrounding these expenditures has raised concerns about South Dakota’s relatively lax disclosure requirements for gubernatorial travel.
Read More
President Trump’s executive order, titled “Restoring Trust in American Elections,” mandates new voting rules deemed unconstitutional by many. The order, driven by unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, oversteps executive authority by dictating state election procedures, including requiring proof of citizenship on voter registration forms and restricting mail-in ballot deadlines. This action is predicted to face legal challenges due to its infringement upon states’ rights to regulate their own elections, as explicitly outlined in the Constitution. The order also includes impractical demands, such as mandating the use of nonexistent voting machines, further highlighting its potential flaws.
Read More
Following US Vice President Vance’s visit to Greenland, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen criticized the Trump administration’s “tone” in criticizing Denmark’s commitment to Greenland’s security, emphasizing their existing close alliance and increased investments in Arctic defense. Vance, conversely, asserted that Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s security and encouraged Greenlandic independence, suggesting a greater US role. This prompted strong pushback from Greenland’s parliament, forming a coalition government to resist US annexation attempts. Despite the criticism, Denmark reiterated its openness to further cooperation with the US within the framework of their 1951 defense agreement.
Read More
BBC Russian and Mediazona’s independent count reveals over 100,000 verified Russian military deaths in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began. Significant portions of these casualties stemmed from volunteer soldiers (nearly 25%), mobilized troops (over 11%), and convicted prisoners (over 16%). Over 4,800 officers were among the dead, though their proportion of total casualties decreased over time as volunteer recruitment increased. The data relies on open-source information, contrasting with the Russian Ministry of Defence’s silence on losses.
Read More
Utah has become the first US state to ban fluoride in its public water supply, effective May 7th, a decision met with sharp criticism from dental and public health organizations. This ban, driven by concerns about potential health risks—particularly cognitive effects in children—ignores overwhelming scientific evidence supporting fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay. The American Dental Association, among others, decried the decision as based on “distorted pseudoscience,” emphasizing the significant benefits of community water fluoridation. While some argue for individual choice regarding fluoride consumption, the ban contradicts decades of public health policy promoting its use.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood