Opinion | I Missed the Part About the Divine Right of Presidents

Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/19/o...

Longtime fan of these PNW journalists. Both are extremely skilled at digging deep to uncover the story behind the story.

And you were literally there but left before it happened? Yikes!!

The visionaries As always, if you find value in this work I do, please consider helping me keep it sustainable by joining my weekly newsletter, Sparky’s List! You can get it in your inbox or read it on Patreon…

new toon!
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...

As soon as I heard about the Iowa City shooting I hopped on here to make sure you were OK. Super relieved to read “I made it to the event and then home in one piece”.

AI chatbots know more about you than you realise From a few basic questions, an AI chatbot can learn more about you than those who have known you for years. The privacy implications are profound.

😳

www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...

Trump Property & Golf Tracker — Philip Bump An ongoing accounting of days President Trump has spent at his own golf clubs and hotels during his second term, and how often he's likely played golf.

In case you’re interested…

www.pbump.com/projects/gol...

2,000+ supply ships stranded: Iran war puts food security at risk As the Iran war enters its sixth week, food and beverage supply chains face mounting disruption, stranded cargoes and a growing threat to global food security.

Strait of Hormuz closure starts to affect food security.

www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

Pope Leo having his own army would be authentically medieval.

The Return of Family Detention Under the Trump Administration, thousands of immigrant children have been detained, and many have suffered from medical neglect.

www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

A white bunny with red eyes nibbles on a watermelon slice atop a rough stone surface.

If there is a state with greater scenic beauty than Oregon, I haven’t seen it. Mountains, high desert, Pacific, Hood, Columbia, Portland — it’s just spectacular. I don’t want to spoil anything for residents, but it’s a truly underrated state. I’m lucky to have married into it.

www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...

Trump’s Strategic and Moral Failure in Iran From the first day of his Presidency, Trump has posed an emergency to both his country and the world.

www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

In Latest Rebuke of Hegseth and Trump, Pope Says 'God Does Not Bless Any Conflict' "Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs."

"Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs," the Pope said.

👇👇

Chocolate in space.

www.valrhona.us/news-events/...

"Once ‘Ultra MAGA’, Trump Supporters Fume About Iran on Truth Social
A growing chorus of disaffected Trump supporters is sounding off in the replies to his posts on the social media platform he founded." (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/u...

Beer cans, helium balloons and mortgages: An unexpected mix of things affected by war It's not just oil and gas that are affected by the Iran war. All sorts of shortages and price spikes are starting to pop up that stand to affect people's daily lives.

www.klcc.org/npr-news/202...

Iran conflict: Is ceasefire too little, too late for global food? A two-week ceasefire is now in place in the war between US-Israel and Iran

www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

6 Takeaways From the Story of Trump’s Decision to Go to War With Iran
NYT Gift Article

New details from weeks leading up to war show how Trump’s alignment with Netanyahu and lack of sustained opposition from his inner circle put the US on a course to war

A must read chronology

bit.ly/4e8oiEH

The people of Iran aren’t free. Iran can now charge tolls. The nuclear material sits EXACTLY where it did, in the same amount, since June. The regime is still in place with a younger ayatollah. Iran still was launching missiles, now with more money to rebuild.

Period

Great point by @leighfinke.bsky.social: The President of the United States has threatened the annihilation of an entire country by tonight, and Republican legislators are spending the day… trying to ban trans kids from playing youth sports.

These are really their priorities??

One House Republican pushes back on Trump's Iran threat today — Rep. Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas: "I do not support the destruction of a 'whole civilization.' That is not who we are, and it is not consistent with the principles that have long guided America."

Trump’s gone too far: Invoke the 25th Amendment before it’s too late The danger is coming from inside the White House.

thehill.com/opinion/whit...

It’s crazy that the vice president openly intervening in a foreign election for the candidate backed by Russia ranks a distant second in insane things happening today.

This tax season has a new sneaky deadline: April 9 not April 15 The U.S. Postal Service is warning that taxes mailed April 15 may take days to be postmarked. Oregon recommends mailing by April 9.

Important gift link for those who haven’t filed their taxes, for voters (which should be everyone eligible, obviously) and just mailing stuff that has a deadline. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...

Hershey to shift some Reese's products back to 'classic' recipes. Here's why. Brad Reese alleges that Hershey changed some Reese's products and consumers called the company out, leading to a 2027 recipe change.

Followup to the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup controversy. In reaction to grandson Brad Reese’s criticism of the current formula, Hershey announced plans to revert to classic milk chocolate & peanut butter ingredients. Scroll down to read Reese family reaction.

eu.usatoday.com/story/money/...

On Easter, Pope Leo delivers commanding message of peace to a world at war “Let those who have weapons lay them down!” the first American pope declared. The White House’s war in Iran and nativist agenda at home are testing the Vatican.

A solemn Easter message from Pope Leo XIV. Gift link.

wapo.st/4m8Zu1f