For this to happen in my family, either of my children would have to reproduce.

Don't ask questions to which you don't want the answer.

Of course not.

Iran Update Special Report, April 19, 2026 Any US settlement or resolution of the conflict that enables Iran to control traffic through the strait would represent a major US defeat.

"Any U.S. settlement or resolution of the conflict that enables Iran to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would represent a major U.S. defeat and set a precedent with critical implications for global trade." understandingwar.org/research/mid...

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 19, 2026 Russian forces conducted four platoon-sized or smaller mechanized and motorized assaults across the theater in the last 48 hours.

"Russian forces conducted four platoon-sized or smaller mechanized and motorized assaults across the theater in the last 48 hours, but these assaults are unlikely to bolster the ongoing Russian spring-summer 2026 'offensive'." understandingwar.org/research/rus...

He spreads hate online — and fans pay him hundreds of thousands of dollars The far-right influencer Nick Fuentes has pocketed roughly $900,000 from “fanatical” donors since the start of 2025. Some superfans see him as part of their families.

"[A]pparently [neoNazi 'influencer Nick] Fuentes’s ranting and raving is quite lucrative." www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...

After Concerns About Fraud, Washington State Obscures Childcare Funding Recipients | National Review You would expect that documented reports of fraud would prompt state officials to promote enhanced measures for financial transparency.

"You would expect that documented reports of fraud would prompt State officials to promote enhanced measures for financial transparency." www.nationalreview.com/corner/after...

Michigan Dems Nominate for Powerful University Post a Lawyer Who Praised Hezbollah | National Review Makled bested a Jewish incumbent who has faced an onslaught of antisemitic attacks and vandalism incidents at his home and office.

"Michigan Democrats nominated Amir Makled, a radical Dearborn-based lawyer, for the University of Michigan Board of Regents over incumbent Jordan Acker, a Jewish board member who has faced intense backlash for his support of Israel." www.nationalreview.com/news/michiga...

Lucy and the Football, in the Persian Gulf | National Review The White House messaging on Iran — or more specifically, the president’s — flips back and forth between two settings.

"The White House messaging on Iran — or more specifically, the [dictator]’s — flips back and forth between two settings: bold declarations that the Iranians have capitulated....and then a threat to hit Iran much, much harder than it has been hit so far." www.nationalreview.com/corner/lucy-...

Happy Chemtrails | National Review A conspiracy theory that aims for the sky.

"The most blatant problem with the chemtrails [hypothesis] is that it presumes that the perpetrators are almost supernaturally competent." www.nationalreview.com/magazine/202...

Are the Eleven Dead or Missing U.S. Scientists Really Connected? | National Review The theory has generated considerable media coverage and caught the attention of the White House — but the evidence is lacking.

Are Mulder and Scully still working on the X-Files? Their miracle kid ought to be old enough for CSM to be hired as his/her babysitter by now. www.nationalreview.com/news/are-the...

James Carville Gives a Terrifying Glimpse of Democrats’ Future Governing Agenda   | National Review That the supposedly moderate strategist has gone down this road is ominous.

I was pointing this out from 2015 through November 5th, 2024. I haven't had the need to do so since, as Donald Trump will never give up power this side of the grave.

Rather like the frying pan burning up in the fire. www.nationalreview.com/2026/04/jame...

Eliot's Return & Schrodinger's Strait | Shield of the Republic Eric welcomes Eliot back from his sojourn in Spain to break down the latest jackassery from the administration.

"[T]he current state of the Iran war, including the somehow simultaneously open and closed Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing negotiations, and how [Red] China factors into the conflict." www.thebulwark.com/p/eliots-ret...

Bill Kristol: The Tough Guy Really, Really Means It This Time Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with an enemy that he handed all the leverage to.

"Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with [the] enemy [to which] he handed all the leverage. Absolutely do not read his steady supply of hollow threats as him begging Iran for a [conditional surrender]." www.thebulwark.com/p/bill-krist...

Trump’s Bleating Iran Strategy Is Spiraling Out of Control Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell discuss the latest chaos in Trump’s Iran strategy, from collapsing negotiations to escalating threats that may be pushing the U.S.

"[T]he latest chaos in Trump’s Iran strategy, from collapsing negotiations to escalating threats that may be pushing the U.S. toward a much bigger conflict, and the growing concern that even his own team is managing around him." www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-ble...

Sam Stein & Will Sommer: Major MAGA Figures Say Trump’s Assassination Attempt Was Staged MAGA Monday

Well, the assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, WAS a MAGA, so who really knows? www.thebulwark.com/p/sam-stein-...

Is Mike Waltz Saying We Should Bomb Hospitals? Will Saletan takes on Trump's threats to destroy Iran’s infrastructure—and the chilling defense from top officials who say “all options” includes targets that blur into civilian life.

"Trump's threats to destroy Iran’s infrastructure — and the chilling defense from top officials who say 'all options' includes targets that blur into civilian life." www.thebulwark.com/p/is-mike-wa...

Ukraine’s Second Miracle Year The war isn’t won, but for the first time in years, outright victory seems possible.

"The war isn’t won, but for the first time in years, outright victory seems possible." www.thebulwark.com/p/ukraines-s...

Scoop: NSA using Anthropic's Mythos despite Defense Department blacklist The government's cybersecurity needs are outweighing the Pentagon's feud with Anthropic.

"[I]t turns out [Mafia Don] is finding it tough to quit Claude." www.axios.com/2026/04/19/n...

The FBI Director Is MIA Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

"If you’re a Trump mook in hot water, there’s one accepted best practice for making sure you don’t lose the boss’s favor: Immediately make a big show of the work you’re doing to punish his enemies." www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

Behind Trump’s Public Bravado on the War, He Grapples With His Own Fears The president’s impulsive style has never been tested in a sustained military conflict, and he’s been ruminating on Jimmy Carter’s failure in Iran.

"Aides — presumably senior military officials in particular — that they had to exclude the [dictator] from the decision-making if it were to succeed.

"Trump was excluded, and the operation succeeded." www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

"Defense Secretary ['Whiskey] Pete' Hegseth keeps announcing confidently that Iran’s weapons stockpiles are all but depleted. But the [Trump]agon has quietly acknowledged the hollowness of this story." armedservices.house.gov/uploadedfile...

Trump’s Not Paying Attention to His Own War But then again, do we want him to be?

"The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is becoming a global economic catastrophe, and it’s clear Trump is running out of options to compel Iran to stop throttling it."

Except, of course, for total war. www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-n...