DAGR Weekly Reader W4-JUN
“Once this bill votes, and this debt ceiling goes through, the debt is owned by the GOP, and there is no more campaigning and saying 'This is the Democrats.' It will be owned by the Republicans.” ~ Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)
Trump Insults America—Again
The president of the United States seems to have no interest in appealing to a national sense of pride or honor.
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic Daily, Jun 30, 2025
Donald Trump’s man-made disaster
The president's unprecedented blitzkrieg inside and outside of government has threatened the foundation of our democracy. A wrap-up of the worst moves, by the president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, an organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy.
Max Stier, in The Contrarian, Jun 24, 2025
Scientists Name the Fish That Wears a Feather
Cherokee tribes help Western scientists recognize the sicklefin redhorse. The official species name is derived from the tribal name. And the whole thing shows a model of indigenous people, scientists, business and government working together for a positive outcome.
Ashley Stimpson, Sierra Club magazine, Jun 25, 2025
EU leaders try to out-bully Trump, floating world trade club without US
Ursula von der Leyen suggests EU could join forces with the Asian-Pacific trade bloc as Europe tries to up its game. Tusk isn’t putting up with Trump either. Let’s see which way this goes.
Tim Ross, Camille Gijs, Gabriel Gavin and Clea Caulcutt, Politico, Jun 27, 2025
Critical Hurricane Monitoring Data Is Going Offline
Another DOGE slash and burn! The loss of access to the data could hamstring forecasters’ ability to track hurricanes and warn residents of their risk. The data has also been crucial to military planners. Gift Link.
Rebecca Dzombak, New York Times, Jun 27, 2025
Anatomy of a Failure: DOGE Loses Control of Grant Distribution
The good news is DOGE began losing ‘privileges’ when the bromance broke up. The bad news … may be yet to come. More chaos may lie ahead. But for now, what was legislated may still make its way into grantees’ projects. Gift Link.
Washington Post, Jun 28, 2025
Rust Belt Voters Are Sick of Both Parties
Jacobin Magazine (left/socialist) details a poll that suggests blue-collar workers might support a 3rd party. Whether that’s feasible, possible, or up to full financial support might be argued. It is, however, a suggestion of what working class voters might want to see as Democrats reorganize to save what’s left after an oligarchs’ assault on the bedrocks of American democracy.
Jared Abbott & Les Leopold, Jacobin, Jun 20, 2025