Trump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized (Gift Article) Fake windows and a stairway to nowhere: Three months that could change the White House for generations.

#GiftLink
Trump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized
Architects Say It Shows
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

"The best life is lived after you’ve done enough introspection to achieve some self-knowledge so that you can turn your attention on others. The worst life is lived by those who have done no introspection and achieved no self-understanding but who are nonetheless utterly self-centered."

#GiftLink 🎁

What naysayers don’t get about ‘No Kings,’ the biggest protest in U.S. history | Will Bunch The “No Kings” movement brushed off its doubters with a record turnout that gave protesters hope in an age of insanity.

What naysayers don’t get about ‘No Kings,’ the biggest protest in U.S. history

The “No Kings” movement brushed off its doubters with a record turnout that gave protesters hope in an age of insanity.

https://share.inquirer.com/iiu0fz

#GiftLink #Opinion #NoKings #WillBunch #Inquirer

Kash Patel’s push against Democratic lawmaker raises concerns within FBI FBI Director Kash Patel is pushing to post documents related to a Democratic lawmaker who has not been accused of wrongdoing, raising alarms within the Bureau.

I....I need to stop reading the news.
1. Weaponizing the FBI against political opponents is what they accused Joe of for 4 years, right?
2. Funny how fast they can redact a file when it serves *their* purposes

FWIW - #giftlink

wapo.st/3O8dXOq

Chromebook Remorse: Tech Backlash at Schools Extends Beyond Phones

Finally.

Let's be honest: blaming the kids for excessive phone use came a lot more easily than blaming the adults in and over schools for forcing them onto screens for much of their day.

#GiftLink #GiftArticle

Here’s a super fun flash fiction with today’s #WIPSnips word “vibrate”

You can read it here: www.patreon.com/posts/135527... (free to read)

💙📚

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #AmWriting #GiftLink #CozyHorror #Eldritch

Everything With Trump’s Signature, Name and Likeness: Currency, Buildings and More (Gift Article) Since the start of his second term, there have been more than a dozen instances of his name, image or signature emblazoned on a variety of American initiatives and institutions.

#GiftLink
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Everything With Trump’s Signature, Name and Likeness: Currency, Buildings and More (Gift Article) Since the start of his second term, there have been more than a dozen instances of his name, image or signature emblazoned on a variety of American initiatives and institutions.

#GiftLink www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Wealthy Investors Are Targeting Foes of Clean Energy, and They Want Revenge

🌎 This is the kind of rich people infighting I enjoy. #GiftLink

Not for nothing - here is my video on a work around of the Trump Admin's war on renewables youtu.be/HtROSWRIbOE

Interesting conversation between Wesley Wark and Lloyd Axworthy.

#GiftLink 🎁 #CdnPoli

www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...

With Cuba Under Pressure, the Castro Dynasty Is Making a Comeback

or replace Castros with other Castros and Trumps and a coteries of overseas real estate vultures

#GiftLink

Word for today's #WIPSnips is “original”

So here's a snip from “The Weaver’s Thicket”—set of researchers end up becoming subject of alien research

You can read the full story: www.patreon.com/posts/142491... (free to read today)

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #AmWriting #GiftLink 💙📚

Kristi Noem Is Gone. Now Mass Deportations Can Really Begin. DHS has a new leader and a big pot of money to deliver on Trump’s campaign promise.

“Mullin inherits a rapidly expanding immigration-enforcement apparatus at DHS, amped up by $170 billion in additional funding.”

Trump’s #IceThugs #Gestapo goons are only going to get worse.

Putin figured out how to use our own taxpayer money against us: by spending it on homegrown goons.
#GiftLink

Wicked Stepmother No Longer, a Female Pharaoh Gets a Reputational Makeover

and here's a current mention to boot

#giftlink #freelink #nopaywall

Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s highly unusual decision to remove officers from a one-star promotion list has spurred allegations of racial and gender bias. #GiftLink
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/u...

As Kennedy Takes on Food Policy, Companies Push Back

🎁 #GiftLink www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/h...

Pentagon considers diverting Ukraine military aid to the Middle East A shift would highlight the growing trade-offs required for the U.S. to sustain its war with Iran as the conflict depletes the military’s critical munitions.

" ...the Pentagon notified Congress on Monday that it intended to divert about $750 million in funding provided by NATO countries through the PURL program to restock the U.S. military’s own inventories, rather than to send additional assistance to Ukraine, according to two U.S. officials."
#giftlink

The First Post-Reality Political Campaign Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is waging cognitive warfare on a new scale.

Good piece by Anne Applebaum on Orbán's reality-free campaign

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/hungary-fi...
#GiftArticle #GiftLink

A tawny hermit crab walks on an exercise wheel in a brightly lit tank.

A baby hermit crab the size of a fingernail crawls on a person's hand. It is wearing a light brown, cone-shaped shell.

If you need an antidote to doomscrolling today, spend some time with Mary Akers. Her story of caring for the uncared-for is extraordinary. Gift link below.
🧪🌎🦑
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/m...
#animals #wildlife #ocean #marinebiology #conservation #pets #giftlink
/fin

Opinion | Trump Said This Policy Would Make Manhattan a ‘Ghost Town.’ He Was Wrong.

“The triumph of congestion pricing also offers a larger reminder: Government, done right, has immense power to improve people’s lives. Many Americans have grown cynical of government […] But the answer cannot be allowing the private market and pursuit of profits to dominate American life.“
#giftlink

Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List

V NYTimes
Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/u...
#GiftLink

Scientists Filmed a Whale Birth. The Surprise: Mom Had Many Helpers.

“Notably, half of the whales attending were not related to the mother. The participation of non-kin is significant to scientists because it suggests that social reciprocity, as opposed to a singular drive to continue a genetic line, may play a role.”

#GiftLink

As I keep writing, it's not just about oil. Pay attention to fertilizer and food right now.

Poor nations will be hit the hardest but this is damaging -- and potentially history-changing -- in the Global North too.

This FT piece is an essential read to understand the issue.

#GiftLink 🎁

Tracking the Early Vote in Virginia’s Redistricting Referendum

Early voting for Virginia redistricting battle is leaning Democratic
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/u...

The NDP is about to choose a new leader. We need a strong, progressive party that values what Canadians do: social programs that make our lives better & easier. The NDP consistently reminds Liberals to pay attention to the better angels of their nature.

#GiftLink 🎁

www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...

For today's #WIPSnips “royal” here is a screengrab from “The Collector”—a short story, from a crow's perspective of King Midas's curse.

Full story is free to read on my website:
ss.lucidillusions.in/bsky/2025/08...

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #AmWriting #GiftLink 💙📚

Opinion | Americans Spend Too Much Time Stuck in Traffic. There’s a Way to Get It Back.

Congestion pricing in Manhattan has been a big success. It’s beyond time to push past all manner of “scaremongering” about policies that improve lives and the economy by reducing car overdependence.

#GiftLink

Local Opposition Is Slowing A.I. Data Centers. Wall Street Has Noticed.

More on data centers becoming liabilities. #GiftLink www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/b...

This story is just gutting.

#GiftLink 🎁

America Needs a Trimmer Some people long for bold, visionary leaders. Others value technocratic expertise. But there’s a third alternative.

“Halifax understood the ancient truth that, in politics, the lows are lower than the highs are high. The sufferings caused by a statesman’s blunders are larger than the benefits produced by his accomplishments.”
Amen. #giftLink

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...