Meet You on the Far Side of the Moon
252,756
— That’s how many miles the Artemis II astronauts were from Earth last night. It’s a big number. New York Times writer Evan Gorelick offers a few points of comparison.
Author: Pensito Editors
Ex-RNC Spokesman: GOP Is Trying to Bury Jack Smith’s Testimony
“They’re obviously trying to bury this. It doesn’t take a political communications expert to let you know that. … But, look, this is the kind of thing that can’t really be buried. It’s going to come out no matter what day of the week, no matter what hour of the day. You can try all you want, but I mean, this was … the special prosecutor who hasn’t spoken much at all publicly: Jack Smith. And anything that he says will be newsworthy. He was prosecuting, and he believes he was going to be able to indict and convict the current sitting president of the United States.”
– Tim Miller, Bulwark host and former Republican National Committee spokesperson, on MS NOW
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Jack Smith Expects Presidential Retribution
“I am eyes wide open that this president will seek retribution against me if he can.”
– Former special prosecutor Jack Smith testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Dec. 17, 2025.
Intercept: Boat Strike Survivors Clung to Wreckage for Some 45 Minutes Before U.S. Military Killed Them
45 Minutes
The Intercept: Two survivors clung to the wreckage of a vessel attacked by the U.S. military for roughly 45 minutes before a second strike killed them on September 2. After about three quarters of an hour, Adm. Frank Bradley, then head of Joint Special Operations Command, ordered a follow-up strike that killed the shipwrecked men.
11.6 Million Voted in California’s Prop 50 Special Election
11.6 Million Voters
LAist.com: Voters notoriously do not show up for off-year elections in the same numbers, as say, a presidential election. But given how consequential Prop. 50 was, there was a lot of curiosity about how many voters would participate. The answer? About 11.6 million people — a turnout of 50% statewide. It’s not as high as California’s last special election in 2021 on whether to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — turnout then was 58.4%. But it’s a solid showing for California, especially for an off-year special election. In fact, it’s on par with California’s 2022 midterm elections, which saw 50.8% turnout.
Taxpayers Have Spent $71 Million on Trump 2 Golf Games
$71 Million
Cost of presidential golf outings so far in Trump’s second term – a cost that averages out to approximately $10 million a month. During his first term, Trump’s golf trips cost taxpayers $151 milion – or an economical $3.15 million per month. According to The Indepdendent, U.S. taxpayers are projected to pay as much as $300 million for Trump’s golf games in his second term.
Our Fascist Idiocracy: MAGA Big Mad at Trump-Mamdani Lovefest When asked if he still thought Trump was a fascist, Mamdani said, 'Yes'
Daily Beast: The president was so opposed to Mamdani previously that he endorsed his opponent, the lifelong Democrat Andrew Cuomo, in a last-ditch effort to keep him out of office. However, on Friday, Trump appeared over-the-top friendly with the millennial politician and even said it was OK for him to call him a “fascist” and “despot.” Trump also refused to refer to Mamdani as a communist, as his press secretary has done. “He’s got views out there, but who knows? I mean, we’re going to see what works or he’s going to change also,” Trump said. “We all change. I’ve changed a lot.”
New Republic: “Not condemning Trump,” Loomer disclaimed, before launching into her tirade. “However, I think we can all agree its a bad look to let a foreign born jihadist who said he wants to implement ANTI WHITE policies like taxing white people more money to stand behind the desk in the Oval Office.”
It seems like Trump himself would disagree with Loomer’s characterization: In the meeting, when asked if he “thought he was standing next to a jihadist,” Trump said, “No, I don’t.” When a reporter asked whether Mamdani still believed the president was a fascist, Trump said,“You can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind,” while patting the mayor-elect on the arm.
Loomer, who has repeatedly accused Mamdani of supporting terrorism, must have been watching this with smoke pouring out of her ears. “What are we doing?” Loomer asked multiple times in her post. “I’m stunned.”
Our Fascist Idiocracy: Now the Trump Regime Has Pissed off the Nurses Nursing is no longer considered a “professional” degree under the Trump administration
People Magazine: As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s new federal student loan-related changes under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” nursing has been excluded from the group of programs that are considered “professional” degrees, and a loan program for graduate students has been marked for elimination.
Nurse.org: Leading nursing organizations also say the move could lower the application and graduation rates of RNs, as all graduate nursing programs first require graduation from an RN program. While some RNs may go into school with the intent of furthering their education, not all do, and many may choose to work at the bedside in the interim or to gain experience. Without the ability to feel like they have a future in nursing, some prospective students may opt to choose a different career altogether.
