DAGR Weekly Reader W1-DEC
“Notoriety and popularity are not the same thing.” ~ David A. Graham, The Atlantic Daily, Dec 1, 2025
[Bracket, top of the list in remembrance of Pearl Harbor!]
December 6, 2025
It is fitting, given this week’s breaking National Security Strategy, more aptly titled ‘Abandon Allies, Embrace Tough Guys and Profit.’ that we look back on our finer hours. Here, Pearl Harbor is brought into 21st century perspective, and the old alarm is raised again.
Heather Cox Richardson, Substack, Dec 06, 2025
Urgent: Trump National Security Strategy Embraces Authoritarian States and Abandons Democracy
Aaron Parnas “spent the morning reviewing the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy, and one thing became immediately clear: this is not a routine policy document. It is a dramatic and urgent shift” in America’s relationship to the world and former allies.
The Parnas Perspective, Substack, Dec 06, 2025
National Security Strategy of the United States of America, November 2025
Read it and shudder.
White House and/or Heritage Foundation, published Dec 06, 2025
I’ll Fight for My Country
Bonus: Music to play while reading the above. Set to ‘country music’ strains, this one recalls how we felt when we first were introduced to ‘patriotism.’ It extolls the wild spaces, the national parks that Trump has shuttered for imminent sell-off to extractors.
Dana Lyons, “Cows With Guns” album, 1996
[/Bracket. Read on.]
Weekend Extra: When ‘No Kings’ Isn’t Enough: Rethinking How We Defend Democracy
Selling Democracy to a Disillusioned Public: This weekly newsletter is a product of the Connor Institute, Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania. The discussion suggests that platitudes about ‘democratic institutions’ isn’t enough when a significant slice of the electorate, particularly younger voters, distrusts institutions to protect their rights and improve their lives.
Outrage Overload Newsletter, Dec 05, 2025
Honk If You're NOT in the Epstein Files
The allure of large protests is clear: the energy; the amusement value of witty signs; the knowledge that you’re part of a larger movement. But last summer, this writer discovered the pleasure of solo protesting.
Giulia Norton, The Grassroots Connection, Dec 05, 2025
A staggering rejection of Bernie Moreno’s push to ban dual citizenship: The Readers Write
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno could not be more out of touch with the people he represents with his proposal to ban dual citizenship. Plain Dealer readers were nearly unanimous in condemning it and slamming Moreno for wasting time on such a harmful initiative.
Chris Quinn, Editor, cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer, Dec. 06, 2025
Pennsyvania’s NOT Ready for AI - MoveOn Petition
MoveOn hosts this petition to Gov. Shapiro by PA anti-AI activists, with perhaps the most complete, compelling list of reasons. Worth a glance, even if you’re not from PA.
MoveOn, Dec 07, 2025
Tech Billionaires & the Rural Poor: 2 Sides of MAGA Populism
The tech billionaires of Silicon Valley and the Midwestern rural poor wouldn’t seem to have much in common. Yet, they united under the MAGA umbrella. Kara brings together two reporters to talk about the role of social media in fueling enragement; why tech billionaires and poor Americans are coalescing around issues like education, the press and more; and how to bridge the political divide.
On with Kara Swisher, video 1 hr, Dec 07, 2025