Birthright Ruling, Oscar Noms
We’re already seeing the impact of the new administration’s promise of mass deportations. The rhetoric has been all about the criminals entering the country illegally but the actual programs (and the intended fear created by them) is having more wide-ranging consequences. There are the concrete changes: Syracuse immigrants are put in ankle monitors, their passports taken in Trump’s first day. “The family, who has been in the country for two years while they seek asylum because they feel their lives are in danger in Ecuador, had an immigration court date in two months. They were not expecting to have to report to ICE in person before then.” And there are ripple effects. Central Valley farmworkers scared to show up to work over deportation fear. “The farm bureau said just the threat of deportation could be enough to deter many of the 55,000 migrant workers the valley needs to operate during harvest season. ‘They’re not going to show up for work and that means crops will remain in the field and not be harvested and probably lost at that point.'” A few years ago, under the same president, we all called these laborers essential workers.
+ “A federal judge in Seattle blocked, temporarily, President Donald Trump’s attempt to rescind birthright citizenship — the idea spelled out in the Constitution that every person born in the United States is an American citizen.” The Reagan appointed Judge John Coughenour explained: “I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order … Frankly, I have difficulty understanding how a member of the Bar could state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order. It just boggles my mind.” One assumes this question will ultimately make its way to a Supreme Court with a recent track record of boggling minds.
Machine Learning Curve
“If you’re looking for a new reason to be nervous about artificial intelligence, try this: Some of the smartest humans in the world are struggling to create tests that A.I. systems can’t pass.” Kevin Roose in the NYT (Gift Article): When A.I. Passes This Test, Look Out. “The creators of a new test called ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’ argue we may soon lose the ability to create tests hard enough for A.I. models.” (I used to be afraid of the machines taking over, but for the past three days or so, that idea sounds more appealing.)
Flicks Mix
Most of us were probably too busy bingeing our latest mediocre television series to notice the Oscar nominations came out. “Emilia Pérez leads the nominations with 13, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 apiece.” Here is the full list of nominees. And, of course, there’s coverage of the snubs and surprises.
Pirate Booty
Two season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park for the next 30 years.
Two autographed jerseys. A softball game for 30 people at PNC Park with coaching from Pirates’ team alumni. Batting practice and warmup with the team. Experiences at the team’s Spring Training facility in Bradenton, Florida. Chilling in a luxury box with Livvy Dunne. Those are just some of the items the Pittsburgh Pirates have offered an 11 year-old who “was the lucky person that pulled a 1/1 card of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes.”
+ The general advice from the baseball world to the kid. Don’t take the deal. SB Nation: An 11-year-old pulled the $1M Paul Skenes rookie card, and the Pirates’ offer ain’t it.
Extra, Extra
Unwanted Advance: “Two Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, broke ranks with Trump and his allies who have mounted an extensive public campaign to push Hegseth toward confirmation.” And yet, the Senate has advanced his confirmation. The final vote is scheduled for Friday. (Pete Hegseth has so many disqualifying characteristics that it’s distracted everyone from the fact that he has no qualifying experience.)
+ Trump Dump: As you might imagine, there is a ton of Trump news this week and not much coverage of other topics. The only one who hopes this changes more than you is me. For now, here’s a sampling of the headlines. Trump Administration Temporarily Mutes Federal Health Officials. Trump’s anger toward World Health Organization may reshape global health, politics. “Public health experts say the nation’s departure could cripple the WHO’s operations — the United States is responsible for nearly 20 percent of its funding — or leave an opening for China to assume greater control over the agency that helps coordinate the response to international health crises.” (We’ve almost forgotten how terrible Trump was during the pandemic. This might jar our memories.) Trump Revokes Security Detail for Pompeo and Others, Despite Threats From Iran. Trump’s FCC chair gets to work on punishing TV news stations accused of bias. Heather Cox Richardson on Trump’s Jan 6 pardons. “Marc Caputo of Axios reported today that Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of all the January 6 rioters convicted of crimes for that day’s events, including those who attacked police officers, was a spur of the moment decision by Trump apparently designed to get the issue behind him quickly. ‘Trump just said: ‘F*ck it: Release ‘em all,‘ an advisor recalled.” Meanwhile, Trump picks father of convicted Jan. 6 rioter to serve as CEO of U.S. Agency for Global Media. And Why Trump’s Meme Coins Have Alarmed Both Crypto Insiders and Legal Experts. This list of headlines is exhausting, but far from exhaustive. I’m trying to figure out how (and whether I want) to cover Trump 2.
+ We Can Rebuild It? Rebuilding Gaza will be a massive project. Here are 5 things to know. (Two biggest challenges: The ceasefire is still only temporary. Hamas is still in charge.)
+ Fire in the Whole: “Overnight water drops helped stop the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and firefighters battled to increase containment as dangerous winds whipped up again Thursday.” No, this is not an item I accidentally copied and pasted from last week. The LA area is facing another massive fire.
+ Vacation Plans on Ice: “Two winter camping novices spend a night out with an Arctic explorer to learn how to stay warm – and even enjoy – camping in freezing weather.” Minnesota Star Tribune: I braved winter camping and so can you. Probably. (In my house, we fight over blankets when it gets down into the 50s.)
Bottom of the News
“I want to explain the whole background of the popcorn taxes to you: Salted popcorn, caramelized popcorn, plain popcorn. When it comes to popcorn’s tax treatment, as long as it is salty, whether it is with salt, spiced, tangy, chilli powder, that’s all 5%. But when it has added caramelized sugar, it is no longer salty.” Popcorn Is Taxed at Three Rates in India. A Nation Says This Is Why We’re a Mess.
+ “Affectionately dubbed Putricia, it will release a smell described as “wet socks, hot cat food, or rotting possum flesh.'” Stinky bloom of ‘corpse flower’ enthrals thousands.
