When Use of Informants Gets Complicated The Department of Justice is accusing the SPLC of fraud in its use of paid informants to stop extremism. Ironically, the FBI’s own history offers a stark warning on how it can go off the rails.

skepticallycurious.substack.com/p/when-use-o...

Shattered in Shreveport The senseless shooting deaths of eight children, victims of a domestic violence crime, highlight the daily dangers and the looming threat of more federal cuts to prevention programs.

open.substack.com/pub/skeptica...

Top Substacks this Week: April 20, 2026 - Sidestack.io Each week, we highlight the top substacks that have been submitted to us for you to vote!

sidestack.io/week

The Illustrated Week A visualization of what’s been on my mind

open.substack.com/pub/skeptica...

😳😳
The verse actually says:
“ And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.”

Render Therefore Unto Caesar Gets A Revision A biblical lesson in separation of Church and State gets upended by politics and a fight with the Pope.

skepticallycurious.substack.com/p/render-the...

DOJ moves to dismiss Jan. 6 convictions against former Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, including seditious conspiracy charges The Justice Department on Tuesday asked a federal court to vacate Jan. 6 convictions against a dozen former members of the right-wing Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, aiming to wipe away some of the final...

This is beyond my comprehension

www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-mov...

To the Viktor Goes the Landslide Defeat Viktor Orban’s illiberal rule suffered an overwhelming loss. Many see it as a warning for MAGA which embraced Orban. There’s a lesson here for the rest of us as well.

skepticallycurious.substack.com/p/to-the-vik...

Not sure I could leave my books behind 😳

In None We Trust Americans are in the midst of a crisis of trust in news information, in politics and other societal institutions and even more concerning with one another.

open.substack.com/pub/skeptica...

So is the journalist working on the
Melania Trump story going to reveal themselves? It’s the only thing I can think of as to why the First Lady would make such a rare public statement. 😳🤔

It's migration season! Monarch butterflies travel over 4,000 km to winter in Mexico's stunning oyamel forests. Witness the beauty of nature's incredible journey.

The WH says Trump will discuss whether US will leave the defensive treaty alliance known as NATO and make statement after his meeting with NATO Secy. General this afternoon.

This could possibly lead to the biggest benefit to Russia and China.

Note:POTUS can’t unilaterally withdraw from NATO

Just stop for a second and take this in

REMINDER: The whole of Congress is on vacation.

When these Congress representatives are asked by journalists about posts like this and their answer is “what the President actually means is…”

My two follow-ups are:
1. How do you know?
2 Why didn’t he say it that way?

Hmmmm

Two different Easter Sunday Messages

NASA releases stunning first images of Earth taken by the Artemis II astronauts NASA released the very first images taken by the four astronauts aboard the Orion capsule as they are making their way to the moon.

NASA releases stunning first images of Earth taken by the Artemis II astronauts

https://fascinating.news/r/os7iFXY6

Martin Luther King Speaks! "I’ve Been to the Mountaintop" (Full) YouTube video by Matthew Siegfried

Today marks 58 years since Martin L.King would give the last speech of his life

youtu.be/TmZvkHpX_Q4

Birthright Citizenship & It’s False Protection The Supreme Court seems skeptical of argument to limit citizenship. The Court’s historical record suggests citizenship is no shield from denial of rights. MLK, Jr. reminded us of that a century later

skepticallycurious.substack.com/p/birthright...

Move over Pandas…there’s a new black/white kid coming

Supreme Court Updates: Key Justices Appear Skeptical of Limiting Birthright Citizenship

Justice Jackson i think asked the question of the day in terms of practice of policy “How would this work?”

www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04...

Justice Alito shows his hand. Suggests the framers allowed for reframing of exemptions to categories not yet defined.

One reminder on the Judge’s ruling on NPR/CPBfunding. The decision voids the President’s EO. But not Congress’ budget vote which zeroed out the funding in late 2025.

Unless there is a change in Congress that can withstand a POTUS veto, that federal funding is not returning.

So why do you think 5 justices voted to hear the case? There wasn’t a mixed ruling in lower courts. There’s no need to re-enforce the precedent. So why take the case?

An administration talking points on rising gas prices is its as high as 2022 under Biden. That may soon not be the case. But more importantly, that spike was primarily caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This spike is initiated by US actions.

Not sure I’d keep using that talking point.