This is going to be a bit long, so buckle up buttercup.

One of the casualties of the current trade war is America’s soft power. This is going to be one of those “we didn’t know what we had until it was gone” types of things.

MAGA’s recent turn against the Federalist Society bodes ill for originalism. MAGA only likes originalism when it allows them to use power against their enemies. When originalism says no, then it has become an enemy of MAGA.

I will give credit to Trump for two things this week. Pardoning some divers who rescued sharks they didn’t know didn’t need rescuing. And improving relations with the new Syrian government.

The US Supreme Court rejected the idea that “environmental impact statements” have to be so comprehensive that they have to include ridiculously vague “downstream impacts”. There’s a lot of nuance here, so I would recommend reading the article.

As with the right to keep and bear arms, Great Britain shows what happens when a nation doesn’t back up it’s freedom of speech with strong constitutional protections.

Is the ABA’s accreditation monopoly about to end? Accreditation is a racket when it’s written into the laws for who can become certain professions. Goes the same for the ABA, the AMA, and AICPA.

Let those who want it pay for public broadcasting.

Florida woman is fighting excessive code fines all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. The way some counties approach code enforcement is less about protecting people and more about fleecing for cash.

Another lingering symptom of closing the schools – chronic absenteeism. The damage done to the kids and schools are going to be one of the more long lasting impacts of the reactions to the pandemic.

Now on to some gun stories.

From The Reload, the US Supreme Court tells Mexico to pound sand in its suit against Smith and Wesson. It doesn’t matter. The process is the punishment.

From NHPR, the New Hampshire legislature granted Sig Sauer immunity from lawsuits surrounding its P320 line. Sig is doing all of these things that just scream “we can’t be trusted”.

From National Review, Citi is walking back its “de-banking” policy. Great. Wonderful. I still don’t fucking trust you. You have proven you will cave to the mob. It’s just the MAGA mob right now.

A couple of thinkpieces for you.

From The Free Press, an examination of the woke right. Horseshoe theory on stilts.

From The Dispatch, don’t bail out the farmers to protect them from tariffs. Don’t bail out any of the industries. This country needs to feel the full force of the tariffs.

Some odds and ends to finish off the week.

From 404, the CIA ran a Star Wars fan site?

From the San Antonio News, a look at an overly broad Texas law that could have impact on Texans watching anime.

From news.com.au, the Japanese are cracking down on unusual baby names. This is one where you have to read the reason why.

From Radio Insight, Dr. Demento is retiring after a 55-year run. I’ve never listened to the show, but you can’t deny the impact. Weird Al is the most striking example.