Thurs Blogcast: Israel-Hamas peace?; Costly "free" lunch; Five for Fighting

Just One Thing: On the Israel-Hamas "Peace" deal

A remarkable announcement from President Trump yesterday:

A few sentences from my new Substack note:

A few thoughts on the apparent cessation of hostilities between #Israel and #Hamas. (I won’t call it “peace” because there is no true peace to be had with Hamas.)

IF this actually comes to pass (meaning if all the living hostages are released soon and then Israel pulls the IDF back somewhat.)

Hamas must believe that the US will restrain Israel from continuing large-scale efforts to destroy Hamas (and I think they’re right.) That said, I would expect Israel to quietly keep working to assassinate Hamas leaders, especially those believed to be continuing planning (or executing) terrorist acts.

Please read the rest and subscribe (for free) here: Thoughts on the Israel-Hamas "peace" deal

A few links to news stories about the remarkable news:

Trump: Gaza hostage, ceasefire deal with Israel, Hamas reached

Israel readies for brief Trump visit in coming days after signing of Gaza deal | The Times of Israel

Donald Trump announces Israel, Hamas reach Gaza deal agreement | The Jerusalem Post

Hamas accepts Trump's peace deal, ending 2-year-long war | Fox News

Trump announces Israel-Hamas deal - JNS.org

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Today's Guests

Kelly Caufield is the Executive Director of the Common Sense Institute. We'll discuss CSI's analysis of the two ballot measures in which Democrats are trying to "soak the rich" even more to pay for "free" school lunches for middle-class and rich kids. (Remember, low-income kids already get free school lunch no matter what.)

Colorado’s Free School Lunch Program is Getting More Expensive

CSI, where I am proudly the Mike A Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow, is non-partisan and does not take positions on elections, including on ballot measures. But I do, and I strongly urge you to vote no on both Propositions LL and MM.

2025 Colorado Ballot Guide

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John Ondrasik is a rock star best known by his stage name, "Five for Fighting" (a hockey penalty reference.) Although John isn't Jewish, he's been one of the most consistent voices from the world of entertainment to support Israel and to demonstrate moral clarity. He recently wrote an important op-ed for Fox News: Hollywood turns its back on Jewish artists in the name of virtue | Fox News

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Other Stuff

On the one hand, ugh. On the other hand, it wouldn't shock me if this works given the mindset of many on the populist right today: Rep. Lauren Boebert's reelection campaign asks 'Are aliens real?!' | FOX31

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I appreciate the last paragraph in particular. And, I think I need to read one of his books: Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai, whose father hid Jewish roots, awarded Nobel prize | The Times of Israel

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I have to say I'm REALLY sick of Bloomberg being so involved in Colorado politics: Michael Bloomberg donates big to save Denver flavored tobacco ban

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Hey, I'm sleeping, I'll call you back: How Nobel Prize winners learned they won | AP News

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This seems like a win-win, and an interesting way to incentivize parents to move to Aurora: CU Denver will guarantee admission for some Aurora Public Schools students | FOX31

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Clothed and fairly courageous? Man wins 100-person wilderness survival competition after spending 70 days eating rats - Dexerto

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It's always infuriating when governments build spending on revenues that are likely to diminish: Manitou city council backs tourist tax hike despite strong showing by businesses - Colorado Springs Gazette

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Fascinating: a little-known amendment to the law that appeared to guarantee back pay to furloughed federal workers does appear to put that back pay at risk if Congress chooses not to appropriate the funds for the payments.

2019 emails boost White House's view that furloughed workers aren't guaranteed back pay

Original law: 31 U.S. Code § 1341 - Limitations on expending and obligating amounts | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

Amendment: (see sec 103 near end): STATUTE-133-Pg10.pdf

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I agree with Roberts' suggestion that it's silly to argue that a candidate would have standing if he might or does win by a wide margin but not if it's by a narrow margin. I also think that laws like the one in Illinois do much to reduce public confidence in our elections: Chief Justice Roberts warns of "potential disaster" in Supreme Court case

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Good for him...and it's a great website: Polymarket CEO Is Youngest Self-Made Billionaire on ICE Deal - Bloomberg

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We haven't heard much leftist outrage against the Citizens United case recently. In this case, a (liberal) newspaper wins an argument using the same logic as that in Citizens United: that corporations have (or at least often have) rights as individuals: Colorado Supreme Court sides with Sentinel in open meetings lawsuit question, sends case back for ruling - Sentinel Colorado

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Want to own a Bob Ross painting? Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts | PBS News

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The world's most expensive burger...and we don't know what's in it: The World’s Most Expensive Burger Costs $11,000, Is Only Accessible by Invitation

The previous most expensive burger: The Golden Boy - The World's Most Expensive Burger

Today's Video

OK, that almost made ME jump!

Aliens? Poltergeists? Demons? Elon Musk?