Here and There #27
Immigration is an exceedingly hot topic at the moment, which, given that we’re preponderantly a nation of immigrants, seems odd: we should be able to resolve the issues, were it not for the politics. Noah Smith had intended to write a book on the topic, suggesting that we go back to the compromise proposed in 2013, but . . . hasn’t, because no one appears to want a solution. His comments are nonetheless worthwhile.
Twenty-five prominent historians of the Civil War/Reconstruction era have signed a brief in support of Colorado’s exclusion of former president Trump from the ballot in 2024. You can read the rationale and follow links to their claim that the 14th Amendment clearly excludes Trump from running. The case is now before the Supreme Court.
Ryan Burge has a new post in which he dices the data on “cultural evangelicals” vs. “regular-attending-church evangelicals” and how that may be shifting on a state-by-state basis, as well as nationally.
“I [David French] do ask myself how I missed the sheer extent of Republican anger. And I’m deeply, deeply grieved by the thought that I did anything in my life before Trump to contribute to that unrighteous rage. Animosity is the enemy of liberty and unity.” Read the entire article here (it’s a gift). Did some of us see the problem before David French did?
There’s a great deal of talk about the possibility of China invading Taiwan, using force to take over the island that China has long claimed belongs to it. In this illustrated article, David Sacks argues that doing so would be very difficult. Interesting perspective; I can’t say whether it’s a valid perspective or not, but my interest in China is of long standing.
Sometimes, it’s the liquid resources that matter the most: whether hydrocarbons (oil, etc.) or water—potable water, that is. It turns out that 70% of groundwater goes to irrigation and—surprise!—is causing groundwater depletion. Read this report to know more about what’s happening worldwide and in the U.S.—and what can be done to mitigate the problem. (During a drought several years ago, locally some residents in the neighborhood of corporate irrigation farms had their wells run dry.)
“Trump is a staggering weakling and coward.” So says Jonah Goldberg, the conservative pundit, in a recent piece. I frequently find Goldberg irritating, and his comments here are not entirely to my liking, but I think he’s genuinely onto something. “Like all bullies, he cares more about the rep than the results.” It remains true that weakling bullies are dangerous, very dangerous.
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s company designing human–brain interfaces, has implanted its first interface in a human. What could go wrong?