Smash The Bubble

News and opinion from both the left and the right, mixed together so you can break out of your filter bubble.

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Today's Headlines

New York Times Story Features ‘Tree Rights’

This resolution is another case of “rights” being granted to non-human entities without its framers understanding the consequences.

Finding Awe in the Places That Tell America's Story

Mount Rushmore, Mount Vernon and national parks take center stage as America marks its 250th anniversary with renewed conservation efforts.

The Gentle Yoke of Love: Sunday Reflection

On America’s 250th, Smithsonian Museums Offer Respite and Reflection

An institution under attack from the Trump administration provided relief from the weather on July 4 — and a chance to ponder what it means to be American.

In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes

A centerpiece address for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration devoted time to American history, but had all the hallmarks of a Trump rally.

America's 250th celebration in nation's capital boosted by iconic automaker's 2-week tribute to innovation

Ford's free Union Station exhibit features 10 historic vehicles from the Ford Heritage Vault, including a Model T and a 1934 pickup on loan from Jay Leno.

Who Is Going to Be Next to Donate $1,776 to Our July 4 Fundraiser?

If you can chip in, it makes a big difference.

Jefferson and the Source of Human Rights

To understand the intent of the US Declaration of Independence, recall that its primary author was a deist rather than a Christian.

The Truth Does Not Belong to Eight Billion People

Total disclosure, as Spielberg imagines it, is a beautiful thing to watch. It is also a fantasy.

The Greatest Tradition of All

Apart from the Declaration and Constitution, there is perhaps no more essentially American document than Thomas Paine’s revolutionary pamphlet ‘Common Sense.’

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.

The notable legal clouds that continue to hang over Donald Trump

All eyes are on former President Donald Trump, who has launched another White House bid.

America at 250: The U.S. Has Been Blessed

It's been said that to be born in America is to win the lottery of life - and I couldn't agree more.

As Trump commands 250th stage, Democrats offer their vision of patriotism

Partisanship around the country’s big anniversary has put Democrats in a bind: They want to criticize the president without appearing unpatriotic.

Abolish Everything, Replace It With What?

Zohran Mamdani's allies want to abolish the police, prisons, borders, and capitalism. None of them have said what comes next.

Trump set to deliver 'historic' speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary

President Donald Trump is set to deliver a historic speech on the National Mall featuring stories of American heroes before a massive fireworks display.

Why Australia's New Capital Gains Tax Is the Best Tax Policy for Crushing the Economy

Fund manager Derek Francis tells Claire Lehmann that Treasury's modelling of Australia's new capital gains tax contains a basic error — one that could push tax rates on shares as high as 70 percent.

How Kyrsten Sinema's decision makes Democrats' 2024 Senate map tighter

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema decided to shake up the political world on Friday by becoming an independent. The former Democrat is still caucusing with the party in the Senate, so the Democratic caucus still has 51 members. Now, instead of 49 Democr…

Trad Schism, Again

The Society of Saint Pius X ordained four bishops without a papal mandate. The Vatican responded with excommunication.

Trump Administration Rolls Back Dozens of Gun Regulations

Critics say the administration is weakening public safety. Proponents say regulations would be where they were before President Joseph R. Biden took office.

Paul Pelosi, 86, faces a hit-and-run charge after striking a parked car in Napa County: sheriff's office

Authorities ruled out DUI in the Paul Pelosi hit-and-run, but the sheriff's office is submitting a driver re-evaluation referral to the California DMV.

Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration

Reports suggest the federal probe into Gavin Newsom's orbit began during the Biden administration, complicating his claims of a Trump-directed attack.

Democrats Clash With Trump, as Political Tensions Rise on America’s 250th

Gavin Newsom and Wes Moore, potential 2028 contenders, cast President Trump’s record as a betrayal of American ideals, while the president disparaged their party as extreme.

Friday's Final Word

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Kamala Harris's Record on Gaza Could Kill Her 2028 Hopes

As she prepares the ground for a possible 2028 presidential bid, Kamala Harris has reportedly been building alliances with the ascendant socialists taking over the Democratic Party. It comes across as a cynical attempt to rewrite her political rep…

The Handful of Democrats Fighting Back Against the DSA Takeover

They may be waging a losing fight against the DSA’s ascension, but theirs is a venerable mission nevertheless.

Spain’s Opened Door

Needless to say, it is a mistake.

Trump pardons 9 people convicted of tampering with emission controls on diesel engines

Trump pardoned people convicted of Clean Air Act violations who he said were "persecuted by the Biden Administration" and punished for "fixing their car."

Navy Ends Search for Missing Crew Member After Arabian Sea Helicopter Crash

The cause of the crash was still under investigation, but the military said it was not the result of hostile fire. A total of 14 U.S. service members have been killed in the war against Iran.

North Carolina governor faces criticism for skipping Trump-backed America 250 event

Chuck Edwards accused Gov. Josh Stein of choosing partisanship over patriotism by boycotting the Great American State Fair on the National Mall.

These Runners Celebrate July 4 at the Mount Marathon Race

The Mount Marathon Race plays a big role in the Independence Day festivities of Seward, Alaska.

America’s Naysayers Need to Get a Grip

The greatest country on earth deserves to be celebrated.

How Canada Jumped the Rails on ’Gender-Affirming Care’: A Quillette Investigation

The career arc of Canadian Paediatric Society president Natasha Johnson helps explain why her country has become such an outlier in the treatment of trans-identified children.

Gloomy Optimist

Jefferson emerges as a man who doubted democracy's permanence yet placed his faith in future generations. Onuf and Cogliano rescue him from caricature—even if one dimension of his thought remains in shadow.

Saturday's Final Word

America at 250: When You Get Ordinary Americans Away From the Noise, We Still Agree on the Basics

NY Times Defends Organizer of 'Muslims Only' Swim Party

TV coverage of the Fourth of July will emphasize holiday festivities, not Trump’s speech

In Bad Faith

The US vice president’s new memoir leaves an unflattering impression of its author.

Meet the woman steering Biden's bipartisan winning streak on Capitol Hill

The Biden administration managed to rack up a long list of major legislative wins in its first two years despite facing one of the most closely-divided Congresses in history. From bipartisan action on infrastructure, gun safety and same-sex marria…

Expert who fled Cuba warns of ‘vicious cycle’ that will lead to ‘communists in double digits’ in Congress

Mike Gonzalez, who fled communist Cuba, warns a vicious cycle of socialist candidates winning could put communists in double digits in Congress.

The Indispensable President

The Declaration of Independence, signed and issued to the public 250 years ago this month, was the banner under which the American Revolution was fought.

Promises Made and (Eventually) Kept

The Declaration of Independence at 250.

Crowds Evacuated as Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech

Thousands of people stood in security lines for hours in severe heat to reach the National Mall, only to be ordered to leave as events were set to start. Some refused.

Everything you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness program

President Joe Biden's federal student loan forgiveness program, which promises to deliver up to $20,000 of debt relief for millions of borrowers, is on hold indefinitely as legal challenges work their way through the courts.

Margins of Error

Look closely at almost anything and you'll find data—lots of it. But what are those numbers really saying about who we are and what we believe? Harry Enten is on a mission to find out.

The fine print of the Respect for Marriage Act

Let's start with the positive: Republicans and Democrats are coming together to protect same-sex marriage from the Supreme Court.

The NGO Industrial Complex: Gerald Steinberg on How Human Rights Became a Racket | Quillette Cetera Episode 67

NGO Monitor founder Gerald Steinberg on how Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, and the UN's "civil society" experiment were hijacked — and why journalists still buy it.

I Used To Revere America. After Trump, I'm Not So Sure

On paper, the US constitution is a thing of beauty. But the would-be emperor in Washington has revealed its great weakness, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

A Narrowing Vision of America

The Supreme Court's recent rulings and the

Will Jefferson and Smith Reach the Tricentennial Intact?

The ideas animating the Declaration and Wealth of Nations have profoundly shaped America and the modern world.

Appalachian Awakening: Rewriting American Music Culture

At Trump’s Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases

President Trump has tried to scale back anti-discrimination regulations that date back decades. Federal agencies have heeded his call.

Top highlights from Trump's late night July 4 address: 'No dream in history is bigger'

Trump delivered a 37-minute America 250 speech after a lightning delay, honoring Gold Star families and vowing to defeat communism forever.

The Great Audacity of American Ambition

The boldness of American zeal is something to be championed at home and missed abroad, no matter what Europeans say about it.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Hosts July 4 Party Amid Tension Over New Bridge

Pete Hoekstra had made false claims that Canada hadn’t fully paid for the $4.5 billion Gordie Howe Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

What England Can Teach Us About 'Democratic Socialism'

Before the Boston Tea Party, there were New Hampshire's Pine Tree Riots

Gov. Kelly Ayotte says the Pine Tree Riot in New Hampshire predated the Boston Tea Party and may have inspired the famous colonial protest.

The Joy of Historical Reenactment

You can read as many history books as you’d like, but there’s nothing quite like stepping into the past and experiencing it for yourself.

Declaration of Independence Was Call for Freedom & Unity

The Declaration was meant to give comfort to the Patriots, sway the undecided, and maybe even convince some Loyalists to switch sides.

The Mask That Made Me

Thirty years as a high-functioning neurodivergent project manager.

Pope Leo urges US to welcome immigrants in America 250 speech before visiting global migrant hot spot

Pope Leo XIV accepted the 2026 Liberty Medal virtually from the Vatican before departing for Lampedusa to urge Europe to accept more migrants.

American

CNN Political Briefing

The political news you need to know, in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by David Chalian.

OpenAI's Sam Altman wants to negotiate a 5% stake in company for US if competitors agree to key provision

Sam Altman reportedly met with Trump and Bernie Sanders about offering 5% of OpenAI to the public, but only if Anthropic and Meta do the same.

Nations Must Adapt as Drones Change Warfare

Has the nature of war changed? Can small nations now defeat large nations? Can high tech win over low tech? US-Iran and Russia-Ukraine offer lessons.

All Honor to Jefferson

Two-hundred fifty years after the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson continues to embody America

Some Laws Kill

This California Town Banned Fireworks. Then Came the Dogs.

People flock to the coastal town of Cambria, which has become known for its fireworks ban, to give their dogs some respite on the Fourth of July.

Bill Archer, Influential Texas Congressman, Is Dead at 98

Serving for 30 years, he eventually wrote virtually all tax laws considered by the House and was a major influence on budget bills as Ways and Means chairman.

Why Public Policy Schools Aren’t Working

Students with a right-of-center inclination aren’t interested in learning from climate alarmists or school-choice opponents.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Celebrating 250 Years of America

The Roe v. Wade of Birthright Citizenship

The Supreme Court’s ruling means that changing the law will take longer and be more wrenching than it would otherwise have to.

'The Enemy of 1776': Trump Celebrates America 250 While Rebuking Mamdani

Bioethicists: Prepare People for Public Health Coercion

The technocratic class has not yet abandoned its dream of establishing international rule by experts.

America's Next 250 Years Begin In the Classroom

The Education Freedom Tax Credit launching in 2027 could reshape school choice by empowering charitable giving to fund scholarship organizations.

9/11 Museum CEO reflects on lasting impact of terror attacks as America marks 250th birthday

The 9/11 Memorial Museum marks America's 250th anniversary alongside the 25th anniversary of the attacks, highlighting recovery and resilience.

HotAir Celebrates America 250

Mamdani's Rent Freeze Threatens Everyone Who Owns Anything