Iconoclasts: Antifa is all too real
Some Democratic figures, like Rep. Dan Goldman from New York and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, claim that Antifa isn’t a real organization. However, as Jonathan Turley points out, there are groups identifying as Antifa that recently put out a hit list targeting the leader of Turning Point USA, leading to an attack by individuals in typical Antifa attire.
This denial by Democrats seems to be a strategy to shift attention from their increasingly harsh rhetoric. Despite Antifa’s lack of a conventional structure, notable law enforcement officials, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, have affirmed that “Antifa is real.”
Pension beat: California’s losing green gamble
California’s public employee pension fund, Calpers, experienced a staggering 71% loss on its $468 million investment in clean energy and tech private equity funds, without providing any reasoning for this drop, as noted by Kenneth Schlapp from Center Square.
The fund reveals that only 79% of pension benefits are funded, leaving a 21% shortfall to be covered by the state and taxpayers. To address its substantial $180 billion pension gap, Calpers is now heavily investing in private equity, claiming that its investments in solar power are performing better than others, at least on paper.
However, financial experts express concerns about private equity being too risky, expensive, and lacking transparency, making it a questionable option for pension investments.
From left: Democrats throw Boomers out with the bathwater
Boomers seem anxious about the Democratic Party’s generational shifts. Joe Klein notes that there’s talk of the party leadership aging, prompting campaigns to showcase the vigor of younger candidates while highlighting the fatigue of the older generation. Yet, many of these youthful contenders lack significant life experience, resembling the idealized dilettante or pseudo-activists.
Even so, the new generation of Democrats might still find a place in the party, but they appear somewhat detached from mainstream America and are engaging in outdated politics.
Watching Justice: Bragg’s “The Trial That Never Was”
The much-discussed trial involving President Trump, led by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, is humorously labeled a trial that “never happened.” As Byron York observes, this topic rarely arises among Bragg’s election challengers, even if it marks the peak of his professional career.
Why the silence? His opponents recognize that a mere 17.6% of Manhattan voters supported Trump in 2024, starkly contrasting with Kamala Harris’s 82.4% support. Bragg’s adversaries ponder what backlash he might face for prosecuting such an unpopular figure.
Still, as serious crimes rise under Bragg’s tenure and resources are funneled into pursuing questionable charges against Trump, stores plagued by theft have begun to tightly manage basic items like toothpaste. Isn’t this a concern voters should weigh before deciding on his re-election?
Libertarians: Municipal grocery stores are losers
Zoran Mamdani pushes for city-owned grocery stores in New York, claiming they could offer a “public option” that lowers rents, cuts taxes, and provides cheaper food without the pressure to be profitable. However, as noted by Reason’s Natalie Dausicki, Kansas City saw nearly $900,000 in losses from its government grocery programs last year.
If Mamdani truly wants to offer New Yorkers affordable groceries, perhaps he should just advocate for Walmart to set up shop in the city. He argues his plan could enhance access to fresh food, but research indicates that residents already have sufficient access. Moreover, new grocery outlets usually don’t really change the dietary habits of the local community.
It might be wiser to allocate resources toward addressing issues like homelessness and the littering that creates unsightly conditions in many neighborhoods.
