A Call to Arms

Excerpt from this story from The New Lede:

Pesticide manufacturers have voluntarily cancelled registrations for products containing paraquat in California — kickstarting a statewide phase-out of the controversial herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, according to a California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announcement on Monday. 

Paraquat has been under scrutiny for the last few years due to mounting scientific evidence connecting chronic exposure to the herbicide to Parkinson’s disease and other health problems. It is one of the most widely used herbicides in the US — largely as a tool to kill broadleaf weeds and grasses — and is used in growing soybeans, cotton, and corn as well as in growing grapes, pistachios, peanuts and other crops.

The California DPR began re-evaluating paraquat in 2024 and the department’s preliminary reports found negative impacts to the thyroid system, links to birth defects, and that the herbicide is harmful to wildlife, especially birds. The findings prompted the DPR to require additional studies from pesticide makers on these impacts, and, instead of providing that data, companies began cancelling their registrations beginning in April. 

Trump’s Border Wall Is A Total Clusterfuck

This video, hosted by Kyle Kulinski of Secular Talk, provides a critical analysis of current plans for Donald Trump's border wall expansion, specifically focusing on the Big Bend region of Texas.

Key Issues Highlighted:

Land and Water Loss: Reports indicate the proposed wall would effectively fence out Americans from approximately 280,000 acres of land (0:23-0:38). It would also restrict access to the Rio Grande, which serves as a vital water source for farmers and ranchers in the region (0:38-0:43, 1:13-1:20).

Eminent Domain: Many local landowners, whose families have held their property for generations, are receiving threats of eminent domain to clear space for the 30-foot steel structure (0:56-1:06, 2:53-3:08).

Questionable Logistics and Spending: The administration has awarded over $1 billion in contracts, including a $1.6 billion no-bid contract to Barnard Construction—a company whose chairman donated $1 million to Trump in 2024 (1:51-2:11, 4:18-4:21).

Local Opposition: Even in deeply conservative areas, there is strong bipartisan opposition. Presidio County officials, including law enforcement, argue that the wall is unnecessary and environmentally destructive, noting that the region already experiences very low rates of illegal entry (3:46-4:14, 4:41-4:57).

Kennedy Center board votes to partially close arts center during renovations and add Trump’s name to the building again

The board voted to change the name of the building to “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.”

Dec. 18, 2025, 11:53 AM MST / Updated Dec. 19, 2025, 7:47 AM MST

By Alexandra Marquez

The board of the Kennedy Center in Washington voted to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center, a spokesperson for the arts institution said.

Sidney Blumenthal speaks with Jonathan Winer, former State Department expert on international crime, on the mystery of Freedom Fuel gas stations popping up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with low prices promoted by Trump, the flow and control of Venezuelan oil, and Trump officials appearing in Caracas and giving thumbs up to Freedom Fuel. Follow the oil, follow the money.

The Two Oil Mysteries:

Mystery #1: Venezuelan Oil Revenues: The United States took over control of Venezuelan oil in January under a stated "custodianship" model, with promises to hold assets for the Venezuelan people. However, Winer points out a lack of transparency regarding the audit process, the location of the accounts, and the exact legal authority for the administration’s handling of the proceeds, which Trump has described as "spoils of war" (6:08 - 9:30).

Mystery #2: Freedom Fuel: This company appeared suddenly in late June, opening 30 gas stations in the Philadelphia area within weeks (3:52 - 4:10). The stations offer significantly lower gas prices, which experts find suspicious for a new business (14:27 - 14:48). Trump personally promoted the stations, and a senior White House official for energy dominance, Gerald Aen, was filmed giving the stations a "thumbs up" on their opening day (4:49 - 5:35, 12:26 - 13:22).

The Intersecting Concerns:

Winer highlights that Gerald Aen (the White House official) had traveled to Venezuela in May to secure energy agreements with the same firm, Mercuria, that appears to have links to individuals involved in the founding of Freedom Fuel (11:03 - 11:35, 15:15 - 15:42).

The speakers express deep concern over the lack of public reporting, congressional oversight, and the opacity of these financial and political activities (21:29 - 22:55).

This video from Pod Save the World covers three primary news topics, analyzing the political and social implications of each:

1. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump's Real Estate Deal in Albania (0:00 - 3:50): The hosts discuss a controversial development project in Albania involving Jared Kushner. Reports suggest the project is tied to an alleged gangster, Artur Shahoo, and faces legal challenges regarding land ownership and environmental concerns, which locals have dubbed the "flamingo revolution."

2. The Escalating Ebola Outbreak (3:51 - 5:54): The video highlights a significant Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The hosts note the lack of an effective international response, citing the dismantling of previous public health infrastructure and mechanisms as a major concern for global safety.

This video, hosted by Harry Sisson, covers the recent legal and social controversies surrounding the Tate brothers, Andrew and Tristan Tate, following their arrest in Florida (0:39-0:45) by U.S. Marshals at the request of the United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Service (1:04-1:13).

Key takeaways include:

Criminal Charges: The brothers are facing 59 total charges, including serious allegations of rape and sex trafficking (0:56-1:20).

Protests: Small crowds have gathered outside the prison where the brothers are held, with some supporters performing push-ups in a display the host characterizes as humiliating (2:53-3:04).

Political Threats: The brothers' lawyer, Joseph McBride—who previously represented January 6th defendants—has threatened to petition Donald Trump and Marco Rubio to intervene if the judge does not rule in their favor (5:05-5:45).

Political Ties: The video notes an existing connection between the Tate brothers and the Trump family, specifically Donald Trump Jr. and Barron Trump, and discusses claims that the Tates influenced Republican voters (6:35-8:20).

Fox Warmonger Berates Young People For Not Going To War

In this episode of The Kyle Kulinski Show, host Kyle Kulinski critiques Fox News host Mark Levin for his recent commentary criticizing young Americans' lack of enthusiasm for military involvement in Iran.

Key highlights of the critique:

Critique of Warmongering: Kulinski describes Levin's rhetoric as aggressive and "warmongering," arguing that Levin consistently advocates for violence and death, particularly regarding conflicts in Iran and Palestine (0:00 - 1:05).

Historical Comparison: Levin attempts to compare the current situation to the Greatest Generation's mobilization during World War II. Kulinski refutes this by emphasizing that WWII was an existential, defensive war against fascism, whereas he characterizes the current U.S. approach to Iran as an illegal war of aggression and a "war of choice" (1:22 - 4:15, 7:30 - 8:00).

Generational Disdain: Kulinski mocks Levin for chastising young people for their desire for economic stability and affordability, suggesting that Levin's approach to painting young people as "useless" or "stupid" is counterproductive to his own goals (4:39 - 5:29, 7:10 - 7:30).