Timeline cleanse.

New GLoP drop. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…

“I have never been there, but my grandmother from Moldova thought of herself as Russian, and therefore the people of Donbas prefer to be in the Russian zone of influence,” is some top-notch geopolitical analysis.

Mood

Abdul’s side in this conflict has rejected every peace offer ever, including very generous ones, as Bill Clinton and others have explained. The Jews have repeatedly said yes, Abdul’s side has always said no. Additional context: Just this past week, Abdul — who will blather endlessly about his Anti-Israel-First passion — notably declined to condemn the Iranian regime and stand with its victims.

The BBC has reported the deaths of 53 “journalists” in Gaza who have been claimed as terrorists by Hamas and other groups. Some of them took part in the Oct 7 attacks and several have been hailed as “martyrs” by their terrorist organisations. 🔗: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2…

1/9 I’m in @thedispatch Debates today. In fact, the debate is about my work: What is the relationship between state civil terrorism laws and the freedom of speech? (I say: mutually reinforcing. @TheFIREorg's Matthew Harwood says: incompatible.) thedispatch.com/debates/civi…

Democrats and Republicans have spent twenty years arguing over emissions regulations that have never had, and likely never will have, any meaningful effect. My latest @thedispatch: thedispatch.com/newsletter/d…

AI is not deserving of any rights if you understand rights as, you know, rights. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

Hey, a G-File. thedispatch.com/newsletter/g…

Trump was pissed his summitry with Xi didn't generate more TV coverage. Maybe launching an idiotic WH media ban days before a prized photo-op was ill-advised? Maybe someone on staff could have said, "Hey, this will be thrown out by the court. And, besides, we have the big summit coming. Best not to mess that up." But no. Also, just fyi, Trump's 2024 victory was something like the 44th "biggest" electoral college landslide ever, out of 60 (in other words roughly 75% of presidents had bigger electoral college victories). His popular vote margin was also totally average. But just to nerd out: It wouldn't matter. Presidents don't get extra powers or privileges when they win in a landslide. Presidents only have the powers delineated in the Constitution. The fact that Trump lies about having won in a landslide in order to beg for better treatment just makes the whole spectacle more pathetic and sad.

The judiciary system in Iran has confirmed 74 lashes for Parastoo Ahmadi for the “crime” of singing. She sang without compulsory hijab. She hurt no one. She simply used her voice. Now she faces 74 lashes, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban from audiovisual activities. This should not be only an Iranian women’s issue. Every singer, every artist, every woman, every man who believes in basic human dignity should stand with Parastoo. Say her name. Share her story. Use your platform. 74 lashes for singing should outrage all of us. Parastoo said: “I am Parastoo, a girl who cannot stay silent and refuses to stop singing for the people she loves. This is my right, one I will never surrender. I sing for this land I adore, for the soil of my homeland. Here, in this sacred corner of our beloved Iran, listen to my voice in this imagined concert, and dream of a free and beautiful nation.”

I don't like giving P.R. advice. Not my lane. But here's a free tip. If you run an AI firm, don't go from saying "AI may murder us all" to "AI deserves constitutional rights" in the same couple weeks. People might conclude you guys are lying freaks or, worse, honest freaks.

I can't look at this scene and not point out that there's a continuity problem in the fuller version. It's very minor. But the handwriting and placement of the word "SATAN" changes. I have watched Animal House too many times not to make use of my knowledge.

Russia banned exports of diesel fuel in late July, and extended it through January, so it’s not all that plausible to argue that recent Ukrainian strikes have anything to do with diesel prices in the U.S. right now.

On the last day of his presidency, Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich. An enormous number of progressive pundits and politicians furiously condemned the pardon as shocking and beyond the pale. Many longstanding Clinton critics were like "Oh come on. You have discovered something to criticize with seconds left on the clock of his presidency?" In other words, the lefty condemnations of Clinton seemed more like an opportunity for some of Clinton's most indefatigable apologists to suddenly "prove" their non-partisan objectivity. I'm getting the same vibe from a lot of longstanding Trump water carriers suddenly "shocked" by Trump's corruption, self-absorption, crudeness etc. The interesting thing is that Trump has 2 years left. I know Trump won't change. But I do wonder if the new complainers can sustain this for two more years.

This must happen.

He seems bitey and scratchy.

No one asks for reparations from, say, China (which did not abolish slavery until 1910) or Ethiopia (1942) or Saudi Arabia (1962). You know why? Because they don't encourage the shake-down artists.