Wishing you all a wonderful holiday, however you celebrate it!
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – The Unfortunate Philippines
For more than a century, the Philippines has been afflicted by recurring internal conflict—colonial rebellion, communist insurgency, separatist war, Islamist militancy. This article argues that these episodes are not discrete failures but manifestations of a persistent condition of managed instability, structurally conditioned by the country’s incorporation into U.S. grand strategy beginning in 1898. From counterinsurgency as governance to modern access agreements, the Philippines has been treated less as a sovereign project to be completed than as a strategic position to be held—an approach whose risks are now sharpening under renewed great-power competition.
Trillions for War, Pennies for People: How Soaring Military Spending Fails Americans
Unpacking why the US military is so expensive and even if it were less pork-driven, would still be unduly costly for society at large.
Governments in the West Are Turning Their Sights on VPNs As They Escalate Their Assault on Online Privacy and Anonymity
“Politicians have now discovered that people are using VPNs to protect their privacy and bypass these invasive laws. Their solution? Entirely ban the use of VPNs.”
US (So Far) Fails to Capture Third Venezuela Tanker. What Does the US Do to Restore Its Manhood? Allow Privateers via Letters of Marque?
The US campaign against Venezuela takes a new turn as a Chinese tanker so far has successfully run away from the US Navy.
Americans Aren’t Traumatized Enough by Gun Violence
More on American resignation and hypocrisy about gun crimes.
Coffee Break: Democrats Looking to Coast on Anti-Trump Sentiment
Democratic Party leadership is sending signals that they intend to coast on anti-Trump sentiment rather than serious self-examination, open primaries, and vigorous policy debate. The ‘Blue MAGA’ cult behavior of Dem voters means they’re probably right.
Near-Term Climate News and Other Tall Tales
A new climate sighting plus AI fakery.
Improving Indoor Air Quality Might Save Your Life
Cost-effective ways exist to improve your indoor air quality that will reduce your COVID and flu risk, lower your cancer and lung disease risk, and eliminate headaches and sleepiness caused by poor ventilation.
Pax Germanica
Has the German—and the EU—political class dug so deep, they’re already comfortable at bomb shelter depth?
Some Perhaps Not Fully Anticipated Effects of Increased AI Use: Evidence Doubts, Fraud and Fraud Containment
Some important second-order effects of greater AI use, such as greater ease of perpetrating fraud and what might responses might be
The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: An Ideal Husband (1969) Run Time: 1H 22M Bonus: Woo!
An Ideal Husband is a humourous play about past mistakes and future serendipities.
