Sunday Reads...

An irregular roundup of thought-provoking reads. Most made me go “hmm…” — none should be mistaken for endorsement

Quote of the Day:

“We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely, they will be by the better angels of our nature.” – Abraham Lincoln

• Last week’s note on the violent radicalization of the American Left drew a strong response. But one need only consider the open celebration of figures like Luigi or the grotesque glorification of Hamas’s October 7 atrocities to see that something is deeply fractured in today’s radical political culture.

  
  

  To be clear, the undercurrents of political violence are not confined to one side. They are rising across the spectrum — a predictable consequence of three interwoven trends:

  1. The deification of politics, where ideology replaces faith and community;

  2. The rise of absolute certainty, which leaves no room for doubt or dialogue; and

  3. The loss of plurality, where difference is no longer tolerated but condemned.

  
  

  A troubling pattern of politically motivated violence and extremism has emerged. Consider the following recent events:

  • • Tesla vehicles and dealerships were vandalized and set on fire, with perpetrators claiming Elon Musk is a threat to the republic.

    • Nine Democratic lawmakers received bomb threats, further intensifying an already volatile political climate.

    • Jewish students at Columbia University were assaulted and barred from attending classes; during the occupation of Hamilton Hall, a janitor was forcibly detained amid escalating anti-Israel protests.

    • Protesters at Columbia chanted explicit calls to “kill Zionists” and “crush Zionism by any means necessary.”

    • The alleged killer of a United Healthcare executive was publicly praised by activists opposing private health insurance.

    • A foiled assassination attempt on a U.S. Supreme Court justice came just two years after a senator warned the Court had “unleashed the whirlwind.”

    • A Bernie Sanders supporter opened fire at a congressional baseball practice, nearly killing a sitting member of Congress.

    • In Nashville, an anti-Christian gunman murdered six children, targeting a religious school.

    • A pro-Palestinian activist firebombed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home.

    • A Wisconsin teenager killed his parents to plan an attack on former President Donald Trump.

    • The FBI arrested Aliakbar Mohammid Amin, who was plotting attacks against Trump and Tulsi Gabbard.

    • Another man from Butler, PA, was arrested for threatening both Trump and Elon Musk.

• Unpacking how the American Left has transformed into a radical, violent movement here. 

  • This INSANE essay written by a young "Ph.d" openly advocates for violence against an entire sector of our nation:

    "If the present administration chooses this course, then the questions of the day can be settled not with legislation, but with blood and iron. In short, we must decide when we must kill them. None of us wish for war, but if the present administration wishes to destroy the nation I would accept war rather than see it perish. I hope that you would choose the same."

• Meanwhile, a "journalist" from the New York Times and Washington Post praises Lugi. Closely examining the tape shows she was merely admiring those who admire him. Then, this exchange occurs, and she can't condemn those praising the violence.

  • Let's recommit ourselves to:

    • Violence is wrong.

    • Politics should mean less to our lives, politics is not our purpose.

• Exporting Ireland? The exportation of Irish Pubs.

• Charting the development of some old(er) American companies:

American's Historic Firm Development

• 🗂 Spring cleaning for your future – Organize your financial documents now to make life easier for your heirs. Kiplinger

• 💰 Are you contributing enough to your 401(k)? – A helpful breakdown of average retirement savings by age. Capitalize

• 📊 What it takes to be middle class in your state – A compelling state-by-state snapshot of income thresholds. Visual Capitalist

• 🧬 Testosterone matters – New research highlights how testosterone levels biologically influence behavior, cognition, and emotion. ScienceDirect

• 😔 Depression spreads— A study found depression is more contagious than happiness, increasing the risk in close friends by 142%—but only when originating from women. via Rob Henderson

• 🧾 How tax brackets actually work – A practical explainer that clears up common misconceptions about U.S. tax rates. WSJ

• 🏛️ The eternal burden of taxes – From Mesopotamian tablets to medieval England, a brief history of how taxes have always been with us. History.com

• In episode 394 of Ben Franklin’s World, Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, delves into the historical meaning of “the pursuit of happiness” as articulated by the Founding Fathers. Drawing from his book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, Rosen explores how the Founders were influenced by classical Greek and Roman moral philosophy.   

  To listen to the full discussion, you can access the episode here: Ben Franklin’s World, Episode 394. Please do! And let's all celebrate Benjamin Franklin.

• 📍 Redfin’s “hottest neighborhoods” list is out – Clickbait or not, it’s notable that several Midwest spots made the top 10, with a Michigan town landing at #2. CNBC

• 🌍 Jeane Kirkpatrick’s classic essay “Dictatorships and Double Standards” – A foundational argument for Cold War realism, defending U.S. alliances with authoritarian regimes to prevent totalitarian takeovers. Commentary. This is a MUST READ, it is a long read but well worth it.

• ☕ “Sip Sip Hurrah!” – After the Boston Tea Party, coffee became a patriotic symbol in Revolutionary America, with coffeehouses like Boston’s Green Dragon serving as hubs for political discourse and planning.  Fascinating to read of our history 250 years ago.

• 📉 The “Sex Recession” Among Young Adults – A growing number of Gen Z and millennials are reporting fewer sexual encounters than previous generations. Factors include increased screen time, academic pressures, and a shift towards prioritizing personal goals over romantic relationships.

• 🧠 Cognitive Ability and Prejudice – A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that lower cognitive ability is associated with higher levels of prejudice. The research explores how cognitive capacity influences social attitudes and biases. Here's a chart from it:

And for this Easter Sunday, a great conversation on the role of religion in a healthy society.

• 🧠 Ross Douthat on the Rational Case for God – In a recent interview with Bari Weiss, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat argues that belief in God is not just beneficial but rational. He contends that faith offers a coherent framework for understanding consciousness, morality, and the universe—especially in an age of AI, psychedelics, and spiritual hunger. Watch here.

• ✝️ On this Easter Sunday, take a moment to reflect on the depth of Christ’s sacrifice. This powerful article offers a sobering look at the physical and emotional reality of crucifixion: The Truth of What It Is Like to Be Crucified