The recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University, raises serious concerns about the suppression of political speech in America. Khalil, an Algerian citizen with Palestinian roots and a green card holder, was arrested by ICE agents in a seemingly arbitrary move to revoke his green card. This action, which occurred as the Trump administration sought to penalize Columbia University, has been widely criticized for its lack of legal clarity and its broader implications for freedom of expression. -more-

Worth Noting: -more-

I’ve never been a Trump-Russia conspiracy fan, never subscribed to the theory that Donald Trump is a Russian agent. Given Trump’s many positge statements about Russian president Vladimir Putin, I’ve assumed Trump admires the Russian dictator, envies Putin’s wealth and power. Trump calls Putin a friend. Predictably, this past week Trump aligned US foreign policy with that of Putin. -more-

What do you do when you ask your daughter if your granddaughter is vaccinated against measles and she won’t answer?

That may be a question asked in many places not just by a friend to her daughter.

Just a day ago the Texas Department of State Health Services announced an unvaccinated child died from measles in the ongoing outbreak in the Texas South Plains and Panhandle regions. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-announces-first-death-measles-outbreak

This is so tragic. A child died from a wholly preventable disease, because of the failure to be vaccinated against measles. -more-

"It was a truly disturbing moment: a former president, who tried to undermine democracy, bullying a man who is fighting to preserve it. The scene was set in the Oval Office, where President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both TV stars-turned-politicians, engaged in a disgraceful confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump, whose draft-dodging past contrasts sharply with Zelensky's wartime bravery, took the opportunity to berate him for not being grateful enough to America. He accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” and demanded more gratitude, despite Zelensky’s repeated thanks for American support. To further insult Zelensky, a member of Trump’s handpicked press pool mocked him for not wearing a suit, echoing Trump’s earlier remarks about his attire.

The most shocking part of this spectacle was Trump’s alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a tyrant bent on swallowing Ukraine. Trump claimed that Putin had suffered alongside him during the "Russia, Russia, Russia" witch hunt and seemed baffled by Zelensky’s justified hatred of Putin’s brutal invasion.

Zelensky’s steadfastness and leadership are the qualities we need in these trying times. Trump, however, remains consumed by his delusions of grandeur, unable to see the truth of the situation or to act in the best interests of Ukraine and the free world. -more-

I have recently moved from where I lived in Martinez, California, to a nicer place in a nearby town. I needed something more comfortable. And where I lived, the stressful conditions made it very hard to accomplish anything, not to mention having a modicum of happiness. -more-

Antisocial Media

Xfinity is currently running radio ads promoting their 5G systems as tools of social enrichment—when the truth is that they are actually pushing a high-tech world of social isolation.

The ad begins with a frantic call from a panicked dad who phones Xfinity with the following question: "My daughter just invited her entire class to her birthday party! Will my WiFi handle it?"

The Xfinity operator assures him that its 5G system can simultaneously handle "hundreds of calls". He replies with relief: "So the kids can watch stuff on their phones while the parents share movies online!"

If this was a TV ad, it could close with a panoramic shot of multiple dozens of kids and adults sprawled across chairs, sofas, beds and carpets with their eyes fixed on little glowing screens.

This is not "social media." It is "anti-social media"—applied in the form of a self-administered techo-overdose. -more-

g Worth Noting:

Another busy week. What looks like the most important meetings highligghted covering things like DEI, Gaza, racist text scandal, block grants, and when building projects require a public hearing or counter approval by staff and what projects can be appealed.

On Tuesday at 6 pm as if we haven’t already had enough in this city that votes about 97% for Democrats is the Trump address to congress. No matter what our tolerance, we should be watching it. -more-