Politico Playbook Daily Briefing, 04/18/24
Source: Politico
“One weird detail about Trump’s trial jury.” (04/18/24)
Don’t Kill Migrant “Invaders”
Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Jacob G Hornberger
“For the last few years, advocates of immigration controls have claimed, with all seriousness, that migrants who enter the United States illegally [sic] are ‘invaders.’ Whenever I receive an email from them, I give them free legal advice: Don’t kill the ‘invaders.’ … the flood of illegal migrants into the United States is not an ‘invasion.’ An invasion is what Nazi Germany did to Czechoslovakia, what the U.S. did to Iraq, and what Russia has done to Ukraine. Bombs, missiles, bullets, soldiers, planes, drones, violence, death, destruction, assassinations, and devastation. Migrants are engaged in a purely peaceful act of crossing a border illegally [sic].” (04/18/24)
The GOP Must Choose: Pro-Business or Anti-Woke?
Source: Common Dreams
by Dopn Wiener
“In March 2023, a group of House Republicans launched a new Anti-Woke Caucus to ‘root out all far-left political programs from the federal government’ — including those focused on ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, in both hiring and workplace practices. The group wants to ‘protect taxpayer’s [sic] from being forced to fund woke and divisive ideologies.’ Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) chairs the caucus, which has 26 members, half of whom are also members of the far-right, obstructionist House Freedom Caucus. The major difference between the two special interest groups is that the more radical Freedom Caucus seeks to completely change the direction and approach of the House GOP, which it believes is too accommodating to Democrats and the few moderate Republicans still in office.” (04/18/24)
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/gop-pro-business-or-anti-woke
US weekly jobless claims remain at low level
Source: Reuters
“The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits was unchanged at a low level last week, pointing to continued labor market strength. Labor market resilience, which is driving the economy, together with elevated inflation have led financial markets and some economists to expect that the Federal Reserve could delay cutting interest rates until September. A few economists doubt that the U.S. central bank will lower borrowing costs this year.” (04/18/24)
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-weekly-jobless-claims-unchanged-low-levels-2024-04-18/
Capital Record, 166
Source: National Review
“The Right Side of the Desk.” (04/18/24)
https://www.nationalreview.com/podcasts/capital-record/the-right-side-of-the-desk/
Pursuing Saudi-Israeli Normalization Is a Fool’s Errand
Source: Eunomia
by Daniel Larison
“The Biden administration still hasn’t given up on its terrible plan for a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. The Wall Street Journal reports: ‘The Biden administration is pushing for a long-shot diplomatic deal in coming months that presses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a new commitment to Palestinian statehood in exchange for diplomatic recognition by Riyadh, U.S. and Saudi officials said.’ The outlines of the deal are the same as they have been for the last year: the U.S. bribes the Saudis with major favors and commitments, the Saudis agree to recognize Israel, and the Israeli government doesn’t have to do much of anything. This was a terrible deal for the United States last year, it was a terrible deal before the start of the war in Gaza six months ago, and it will still be a terrible deal six months from now.” (04/18/24)
https://daniellarison.substack.com/p/pursuing-saudi-israeli-normalization
On Fairness — Aesop vs Sesame Street
Source: EconLog
by Kevin Corcoran
“The YouTube algorithm is a mysterious thing. It’s supposed to recommend videos you might like, based on videos you’ve watched and rated before, but as far as I can tell the recommendations are generated randomly by a half-asleep chimpanzee. Still, just as broken clocks are still right twice a day, random suggestions can manage to highlight things worth checking out. A while back, the YouTube algorithm put, of all things, a clip from Sesame Street in my recommended videos. This episode featured a guest appearance by Brett Goldstein, best known for his role in Ted Lasso as the hot-tempered and extremely foul-mouthed professional athlete Roy Kent. Curiosity got the better of me, so I checked it out.” (04/18/24)
Croatia: Conservatives Believe They’ll Soon Form a Majority Government Despite Inconclusive Vote
Source: US News & World Report
“Croatia’s ruling conservatives said Thursday that talks have already started about the formation of a new governing majority the day after a highly contested parliamentary election that saw a far-right party emerge as a potential kingmaker. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who is the leader of the Croatian Democratic Union party, or HDZ, said that the party has contacted some of the potential future partners and more talks will take place on Thursday. Preliminary results of the vote on Wednesday showed that Plenkovic’s HDZ won 61 seats in the 151-seat parliament, which means the party has to form a coalition government to stay in power.” (04/18/24)
Conflicts of Interest, episode 578
Source: Libertarian Institute
“The IDF Has Attacked Humanitarian Sites and Convoys Over 350 Times.” (04/18/24)
A national abortion ban won’t pass on its own, Republicans should make a deal
Source: The Hill
by Tim Busch
“The pro-life movement is at a crossroads. Nearly two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, activists continue to demand that Congress pass a national abortion ban — a policy that has no chance of passing on its own, especially after widespread outrage over Arizona’s reinstatement of an 1864 abortion ban. We can either continue to advocate that failed strategy, or we can try something that may work. Those of us who care about saving unborn lives and protecting mothers should support a political exchange, giving politicians who support abortion something they want in exchange for the pro-life progress we want.” (04/18/24)