Reflecting on July 4, 2026
"Which is better — to be ruled by one tyrant 3,000 miles away or by 3,000 tyrants one mile away?" — the Rev. Mather Byles (1706-1788) Does it really matter if the instrument curtailing liberty is a monarch or a popularly elected legislature? This conundrum, along with the witty version of ...
Trump headlines DC celebration of America’s ‘joyous’ 250th
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals Saturday as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.” Speaking in Washington after storms ...
Almanac for July 6, 2026
Today is Monday, July 6, the 187th day of 2026. There are 178 days left in the year. Today in History: In 1957, Althea Gibson became the first Black tennis player to win a Wimbledon singles title as she defeated fellow American Darlene Hard 6-3, 6-2. Also on this date: In 1777, during the American Revolution, British forces captured Fort Ticonderoga. In 1885, French scientist Louis Pasteur tested an anti-rabies vaccine on 9-year-old Joseph Meister, who had been bitten by an infected dog; the boy did not develop rabies. In 1933, the first All-Star baseball game was played at ...
Some laws actually kill
Car accidents kill 100 Americans every day. But now an amazing solution is available: self-driving cars. Robotaxis like Google-owned Waymo, for example. Passengers who try them, like them. Wherever robotaxis are allowed, ridership increases fast. Two years ago, there were 50,000 trips per ...
In praise of Dr. Don Jacobs
On behalf of the so, so many hospital staff you mentored, thank you for being so generous with your time and humor. Our son, Derrick, was so fortunate to be your last one — you poured eight years into him, teaching him that patient care is foremost and the work day can be fun. So many stories, but I love the day when new management had taken over the hospital and they asked to meet with you two. Not knowing what it would be about, you told Derrick to wear his best suit. The upper management were noticeably uncomfortable because they were underdressed for the important meeting. Thank ...