A couple of weeks after Merriam-Webster named “slop” as its word of the year, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella weighed in on what to expect from AI in 2026.
In his classic, intellectual style, Nadella wrote on his personal blog that he wants us to stop thinking of AI as “slop” and start thinking of it as “bicycles for the mind.”
He wrote, “A new concept that evolves ‘bicycles for the mind’ such that we always think of AI as a scaffolding for human potential vs a substitute.”
He continued: “We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium in terms of our ‘theory of the mind’ that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other.”
If you parse through those syllables, you may see that he’s not only urging everyone to stop thinking of AI-generated content as slop, but also wants the tech industry to stop talking about AI as a replacement for humans. He hopes the industry will start talking about it as a human-helper productivity tool instead.
Here’s the problem with that framing, though: Much of AI agent marketing uses the idea of replacing human labor as a way to price it, and justify its expense.
Meanwhile, some of the biggest names in AI have been sounding the alarm that that the tech will soon cause very high levels of human unemployment. For instance, in May Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI could take away half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, raising unemployment to 10-20% over the next five years, and he doubled down on that last month in an interview on 60 Minutes.
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Yet we currently don’t know how true such doomsday stats are. As Nadella implies, most AI tools today don’t replace workers, they are used by them (as long as the human doesn’t mind checking the AI’s work for accuracy).
One oft-cited research study is MIT’s ongoing Project Iceberg, which seeks to measure the economic impact on jobs as AI enters the workforce. Project Iceberg estimates that AI is currently capable of performing about 11.7% of human paid labor.
While this has been widely reported as AI being capable of replacing nearly 12% of jobs, the Project says what it’s actually estimating is how much of a job can be offloaded to AI. It then calculates wages attached to that offloaded work. Interestingly, the tasks it cites as examples include automated paperwork for nurses and AI-written computer code.
That’s not to say there are no jobs being heavily impacted by AI. Corporate graphic artists and marketing bloggers are two examples, according to a Substack called Blood in the Machine. Then there are the high unemployment rates among new grad junior coders.
But it’s also true that highly skilled artists, writers and programmers produce better work with AI tools than those without the skills. AI can’t replace human creativity, yet.
So it’s perhaps no surprise that as we slide into 2026, some data is emerging that shows the jobs where AI has made the most progress are actually flourishing. Vanguard’s 2026 economic forecast report found that “the approximately 100 occupations most exposed to AI automation are actually outperforming the rest of the labor market in terms of job growth and real wage increases.”
The Vanguard report concludes that those who are masterfully using AI are making themselves more valuable, not replaceable.
The irony is that Microsoft’s own actions last year helped give rise to the AI-is-coming-for-our-jobs narrative. The company laid off over 15,000 people in 2025, even as it recorded record revenues and profits for its last fiscal year, which closed in June — citing success with AI as a reason. Nadella even wrote a public memo about the layoffs after these results.
Notably, he didn’t say that internal AI efficiency led to cuts. But he did say that Microsoft had to “reimagine our mission for a new era” and named “AI transformation” as one of the company’s three business objectives in this era (the other two being security and quality).
The truth about job loss attributed to AI during 2025 AI is more nuanced. As the Vanguard report points out, this had less to do with internal AI efficiency and more to do with ordinary business practices that are less exciting to investors, like ending investment in slowing areas to pile in to growing ones.
To be fair, Microsoft wasn’t alone in laying off workers while pursuing AI. The technology was said to be responsible for almost 55,000 layoffs in the U.S. in 2025, according to research from firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, CNBC reported. That report cited the large cuts last year at Amazon, Salesforce, Microsoft and other tech companies chasing AI.
And to be fair to slop, those of us who spend more time than we should on social media laughing at memes and AI-generated short-form videos might argue that slop is one of AI’s most entertaining (if not best) uses, too.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s rapid-fire style was on full display during his Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” — a performance that initially seemed designed to keep the conversation moving and tightly controlled. But as questioning continued and Rubio was pressed harder, that fast-paced defense began working against him.
Asked by ABC’s This Week host George Stephanopoulos what legal authority the United States has to “run” Venezuela, as President Donald Trump vowed, Rubio offered a winding response that ultimately rested on U.S. economic leverage — arguing that seizing sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers allows Washington to pressure the government into compliance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference as U.S. President Donald Trump listens at Mar-a-Lago club on January 03, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
That framing diverged sharply from Trump’s declaration a day earlier that the officials standing behind him, including Rubio and Pete Hegseth, would be running the country.
When pressed again by Stephanopoulos and later by NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” Rubio downplayed the idea of direct control, expressing frustration that “People [are] fixating on that” and insisting instead that the goal was to force “changes in Venezuela.”
His comments, coming a day after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, prompted a wave of disbelief online, with reactions ranging from incredulity to outrage.
Rubio insisted the administration wasn’t focused on Venezuelan oil, despite Trump’s earlier victory lap concerning American access to the country’s vast crude reserves.
“We don’t need Venezuela’s oil. We have plenty of oil in the United States,” Rubio said. But he made clear the administration’s objective is to prevent U.S. rivals — specifically Russia, China, and Iran — from “controlling” the nation’s energy resources.
“What we’re not going to allow is for the oil industry in Venezuela to be controlled by adversaries of the United States. You have to understand, why does China need their oil? Why does Russia need their oil? Why does Iran need their oil? They’re not even in this continent,” Rubio said sharply.
Adding, “This is the Western Hemisphere. This is where we live, and we’re not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries, competitors and rivals of the United States.”
Welker attempted to cut in asking “has specific oil companies…” but a fast talking Rubio rolled right over Welker, even telling her “hold on” without missing a beat.
Rubio continued on before closing out saying, “This is deeply destablizing stuff, it’s not going to continue to happen. They’re not going to continue to come from outside our hemisphere, destabilize our region in our own backyard and us have to pay the price for it, not under President Trump.”
The remarks triggered a torrent of reactions online.
One commentator on Threads asked, “WTAF??? Did those words really come out of your mouth Marco?”
Another dismissed Rubio’s nuanced delivery, “He thinks if he talks rapidly it makes him sound important.”
Critics also decried his framing of the hemisphere as U.S. territory, “The Western Hemisphere is not ours. It is made up of independent sovereign nations. This is absolutely disgusting. They are all raving lunatics drunk with power.”
Despite Rubio’s attempt to downplay the oil grab, some critics were not buying it.
“This is such bullshit framing. But at least now they are admitting it’s all about the oil,” said Patrick on Threads.
Coach Paul added an eerie prediction, “The loudest in the room is usually the weakest in the room. This never ends well. The bully usually always has one that he cant bully. When that one arises all hell is gonna break loose.”
Rubio emphasized that Venezuela’s oil wealth should benefit its people, contrasting with Trump’s focus on U.S. access to the reserves and his stated goal of targeting the Maduro regime for drug trafficking. Rubio’s framing, however, suggested that the operation was primarily about limiting foreign influence, not domestic energy needs.
“During Maduro’s rule, the regime and its cronies enriched themselves with oil, contributing to an economic collapse and the mass exodus of people out of the country,” Rubio added.
In turn, it appears to be America’s turn to do the enriching.
Meanwhile, Trump touted U.S. oil company investments, saying, “We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.”
Rubio dismissed concerns of an active U.S.-Venezuela war. “We care about elections, we care about democracy, we care about all of that, but the No. 1 thing we care about is the safety, security, well-being and prosperity of the United States. And that’s what we’re going to focus on first and foremost here,” he said.
Rubio declined to rule out U.S. occupation if Venezuela’s acting leadership failed to cooperate, presumably operating as a puppet regime under the thumb of Washington.
Trump also hinted at the possibility of boots on the ground, though for now U.S. forces remain in the region at a high state of readiness, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed.
Congressional reaction was swift. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the operation an act of war, disputing Rubio’s insistence that congressional approval was unnecessary.
“There’s been no evidence that the administration has presented to justify the actions that were taken in terms of there being an imminent threat to the health, the safety, the well-being, the national security of the American people,” Jeffries said. “This was not simply a counternarcotics operation. It was an act of war.”
Rubio, by contrast, insisted that “we will seek congressional approval for actions that require congressional approval … and this is not an operation that required congressional approval.”
Despite Rubio’s insistence on legality and national interest, many Americans remain shocked by the blunt articulation of U.S. ambitions. One social media user summed up a widespread reaction: “The audacity of their thuggery to be studied.”
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The OECD announced Monday that nearly 150 countries have agreed on the plan, initially crafted in 2021, to stop large global companies from shifting profits to low-tax countries, no matter where they operate in the world.
The amended version excludes large U.S.-based multinational corporations from the 15% global minimum tax after negotiations between President Donald Trump’s administration and other members of the Group of Seven wealthy nations.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said in a statement that the agreement is a “landmark decision in international tax co-operation” and “enhances tax certainty, reduces complexity, and protects tax bases.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the agreement “a historic victory in preserving U.S. sovereignty and protecting American workers and businesses from extraterritorial overreach.”
The most recent version of the deal waters down a landmark 2021 agreement that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%. The idea was to stop multinational corporations, including Apple and Nike, from using accounting and legal maneuvers to shift earnings to low- or no-tax havens.
Those havens are typically places like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, where the companies actually do little or no business.
Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was a key driver of the 2021 OECD global tax deal and made the corporate minimum tax one of her top priorities. The plan was widely panned by congressional Republicans who said it would make the U.S. less competitive in a global economy.
The Trump administration in June re-negotiated the deal when congressional Republicans rolled back a so-called revenge tax provision from Trump’s big tax and spending bill that would have allowed the federal government to impose taxes on companies with foreign owners, as well as on investors from countries judged as charging “unfair foreign taxes” on U.S. companies.
Tax transparency groups have criticized the amended OECD plan.
“This deal risks nearly a decade of global progress on corporate taxation only to allow the largest, most profitable American companies to keep parking profits in tax havens,” said Zorka Milin, policy director at the FACT Coalition, a tax transparency nonprofit.
Tax watchdogs argue the minimum tax is supposed to halt an international race to the bottom for corporate taxation that has led multinational businesses to book their profits in countries with low tax rates.
Congressional Republicans applauded the finalized deal. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., said in a joint statement: “Today marks another significant milestone in putting America First and unwinding the Biden Administration’s unilateral global tax surrender.”
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Bob Pulford, a Hockey Hall of Fame player who went on to a lengthy career in the NHL as a coach and general manager, has died. He was 89.
A spokesperson for the NHL Alumni Association said Monday the organization learned of Pulford’s death from his family. No other details were provided.
A tough, dependable forward, Pulford helped the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup four times during his 14-year stretch with them from 1956-70. The Newton Robinson, Ontario, native was part of the 1967 team that remains the organization’s last to win a championship.
He was picked for five All-Star games and led the league in short-handed goals three times. After recording 694 points in 1,168 regular-season and playoff games, Pulford was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Off the ice, Pulford was the first president of the players union, taking part in early collective bargaining and laying the foundation for the modern NHLPA.
Pulford spent his final two playing seasons with the Los Angeles Kings in the early ‘70s before coaching them for the following five years. He then ran the Chicago Blackhawks’ front office as general manager or senior vice president of hockey operations for three decades from 1977-2007, going behind the bench to coach four times during that span.
The NHL Alumni Association in a post memorializing Pulford called him “one of the most respected figures in the history of hockey.”
“Rest in peace, Bob,” the NHLAA said. “Your impact on hockey and on all who had the privilege of knowing you will never be forgotten.”
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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President Donald Trump’s fans like to cheer on his most audacious moves by declaring, “I voted for this.” It is safe to assume, though, that very few people who pulled the lever for Trump in 2024 expected that he would soon announce that he had seized control over Venezuela. One of Trump’s most popular qualities has always been his supposed opposition to foreign wars, his anti-imperialist isolationism. Yet J. D. Vance, who once wrote an op-ed headlined “Trump’s Best Foreign Policy? Not Starting Any Wars,” now declares the new war in Venezuela to be a glorious and necessary exercise of America Firstism.
MAGA is primarily a personality cult, the objectives of which evolve to suit Trump’s capricious moods. Yet his pivot to new wars of conquest is not some shocking reversal. The “Donroe Doctrine,” as he calls his assertion of regional supremacy—a Trumpian extension of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which established the United States’ claim over the Americas in order to keep Europeans out—is in fact consistent with his deepest beliefs. In some ways, it represents the ultimate expression of the world order he hopes to engineer.
A desire to dominate—an eagerness to bully his counterparties into submission—is perhaps the essence of Trump’s character. Trump’s unexpected political resurrection and return to the White House have emboldened his ambitions, which have spread outward. His threats against Canada, Panama, and Greenland, and his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, have little to do with national interest and everything to do with reifying a new order in which he’s the boss and the leaders of neighboring countries are his cowering subordinates.
Other administration officials have tried to depict the Venezuela intervention as a limited operation, but Trump’s constant claims that these moves are about oil, and his constant boasts that he is “in charge” of the country, clarify his motives. In invading Venezuela and capturing its president, Trump is asserting dominance not only over the hemisphere, but also over energy resources.
This is in keeping with Trump’s view that wealth and power are always zero-sum contests, and his belief that control of natural resources will dictate who wins. “The future will be determined by the ability to protect commerce and territory and resources that are core to national security,” he announced in his prepared remarks on Saturday. “These are the iron laws that have always determined global power, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
Trump’s faith that controlling Venezuela’s oil fields will deliver wealth and power to the U.S. is so profound that he has ignored all evidence to the contrary. For starters, oil prices are currently low—a fact that Trump is fond of pointing out in other contexts, but that limits the financial upside of opening more oil for development. Trump insists that Venezuela’s oil fields will provide a windfall to the United States (“It won’t cost us anything, because the money coming out of the ground is very substantial”). Yet analysts project that any profit from Venezuelan oil will require a massive up-front investment.
Trump’s conviction that American wealth demands siphoning or stealing natural resources from other countries is of a piece with his winner-takes-all worldview. But this rather retro understanding of economics is readily defied by examples around the world. Many of the nations that have seen the fastest economic growth in recent decades have few natural resources, such as Japan, Israel, and the “Asian Tigers.” Meanwhile many of the nations that are richest in resources remain trapped in poverty, such as Venezuela.
This paradox is so long-standing that economists have coined the term resource curse to describe it. According to this theory, natural resources perversely impoverish nations by concentrating economic and political power in the hands of a kleptocratic elite. This discourages the formation of liberal democratic systems with accountable governments that follow the rule of law, which in turn discourages investment and entrepreneurialism.
A kleptocracy does, however, seem in line with Trump’s Donroe Doctrine. Asked by reporters what the main priority should be for Venezuela’s new government, Trump replied, “We need total access. We need access to the oil.” When another reporter wondered whether the new government should liberalize opposition or free political prisoners, he demurred: “Right now what we want to do is fix up the oil, fix up the country.”
To the extent that Trump intuits an inverse relationship between wealth extraction and liberal democracy, he may see it as a benefit rather than a cost. The countries he most admires around the world, including Russia and the Gulf kingdoms, are neither the most affluent nor the most free. But their leaders are disproportionately wealthy and powerful. What economists call the resource curse seems, to Trump, to be a resource blessing.
Trump thinks about economics less like a businessman, as some of his supporters say, than like a warlord or a gangster: He imagines wealth as something to be plundered and hoarded by the strong. As a formula for amassing a personal fortune, this view has delivered beyond his wildest dreams. As a blueprint for national success, however, his crude ideas offer little more than an outdated fantasy of hemispheric supremacy.
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As we kick off the new year, we also celebrate the birthdays of some of the most influential Black figures in entertainment, sports, and culture. January has given us a host of icons whose talents have shaped generations and continue to inspire. From groundbreaking actors to legendary musicians and trailblazing athletes, let’s honor the stars who started their lives in the first month of the year.
One of the most revered figures born in January is the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15). While known globally for his monumental leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, his powerful oratory and unwavering commitment to justice continue to be a guiding light for activists and communities fighting for equality everywhere. His legacy is a cornerstone of American history and a profound source of inspiration.
In the world of acting, January has blessed us with immense talent. The iconic James Earl Jones (January 17) is celebrated for his distinguished career on stage and screen, with a commanding voice recognized worldwide as Darth Vader and Mufasa. We also celebrate the versatile Regina King (January 15), an Academy Award-winning actress and director whose powerful performances in projects like If Beale Street Could Talk and Watchmen have solidified her as one of Hollywood’s most respected artists. The music industry wouldn’t be the same without the contributions of January babies. The smooth, soulful voice of the late, great Aaliyah (January 16) defined a generation of R&B and continues to influence artists today. Her innovative sound and style made her a true cultural phenomenon.
These are just a few of the many brilliant Black celebrities born in January. Their work has not only entertained but has also broken barriers, challenged norms, and enriched our cultural landscape. As we celebrate their birthdays, we also recognize the lasting impact they have made on the world. Their legacies are a powerful reminder of the excellence that this month has brought into our lives. Join us in wishing all these incredible individuals a happy birthday
Morris Chestnut – January 1st
Source: Getty
Born on New Year’s Day, this California native has been captivating audiences for over three decades with his undeniable charisma, intense acting chops, and that signature smile.
Chestnut first stole our hearts as Ricky Baker in the seminal classic Boyz n the Hood, a role that cemented his place in Black cinema history right out of the gate. He didn’t stop there. He evolved into the quintessential romantic lead in favorites like The Best Man franchise and The Brothers, proving he could balance vulnerability with strength.
Beyond the big screen, Chestnut has dominated television, bringing authority and depth to roles in series like Rosewood and The Resident.
Cuba Gooding Jr. – January 2nd
Source: WENN
Born in the Bronx to a musical family—his father was the lead vocalist of The Main Ingredient—entertainment is clearly in his DNA. Gooding burst onto the scene in the early ’90s, delivering a raw and powerful performance as Tre Styles in the groundbreaking film Boyz n the Hood. This role not only showcased his dramatic range but also helped define a new era of Black cinema.
However, it was his electrifying portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire that catapulted him to superstardom. That iconic performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and gave the world the unforgettable catchphrase, “Show me the money!”
Marc Morial – January 3rd
Source: Getty
Born into a legacy of public service in New Orleans, Morial has dedicated his life to empowering Black America and fighting for economic justice.
As the President and CEO of the National Urban League, Morial has revitalized one of the nation’s oldest civil rights organizations. Under his guidance, the League has expanded its reach, launching initiatives that focus on jobs, housing, and voting rights, ensuring that the promise of democracy is accessible to everyone. Before leading the League, he served as a dynamic Mayor of New Orleans, where he successfully tackled crime and reformed the police department, leaving a lasting impact on the city.
John Singleton – January 6th
Source: WENN
At just 24 years old, John Singleton exploded onto the scene with his directorial debut, Boyz n the Hood, a raw and poignant look at life in South Central Los Angeles. This masterpiece earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, making him the youngest person and the first African American ever nominated for Best Director.
Singleton’s genius was his ability to tell our stories with unapologetic authenticity. He didn’t just direct films; he created worlds that were deeply familiar to the Black experience. Through iconic works like Poetic Justice, Higher Learning, and Baby Boy, he gave a powerful voice to a generation and mentored a new wave of Black actors and creators. His legacy is not just in the films he made but in the doors he kicked open for others to walk through, solidifying his status as a true Hollywood legend and a hero to our community. John Singleton passed away on April 28, 2019, but his influence continues to inspire filmmakers and storytellers everywhere.
Zora Neale Hurston – January 7th
Source: Getty
Zora Neale Hurston was a literary powerhouse and cultural anthropologist who celebrated Blackness with a boldness that was ahead of her time. A central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston didn’t just write about Black life; she immersed herself in it, using her anthropologist’s eye to capture the authentic dialect, folklore, and spirit of the rural Black South. While others sought to polish the image of African Americans for white audiences, Zora was dedicated to portraying our people exactly as we were—vibrant, complex, and full of soul.
Her masterpiece, Their Eyes Were Watching God, remains a timeless classic, gifting literature with the unforgettable journey of Janie Crawford and asserting that Black women’s quest for self-realization is a story worthy of the world’s stage. Although she passed away on January 28, 1960, her light was never truly extinguished. Rediscovered by later generations, Hurston stands today as a literary ancestor who taught us the power of owning our own narratives and the beauty of our own voices.
Max Roach – January 10th
Source: Getty
Max Roach was more than just a drummer; he was a master innovator who revolutionized the rhythm of jazz. As one of the chief architects of bebop, Roach transformed the role of the drums from a simple timekeeping device into a dynamic, melodic instrument. His lightning-fast rhythms, complex patterns, and ability to “play the melody” on the drum kit set a new standard for drummers everywhere and defined the sound of a new, rebellious era in music.
Roach’s brilliance wasn’t confined to the bandstand. He was a gifted composer and a passionate activist who used his music as a powerful tool for social commentary, most notably on his groundbreaking album We Insist! Freedom Now Suite. His influence is felt in every corner of modern music, from jazz to hip-hop. Although the world lost this titan on August 16, 2007, his inventive spirit and percussive genius beat on. Max Roach didn’t just play the drums; he made them speak, sing, and shout, forever changing the way we hear music.
Mary J. Blige – January 11th
Source: Getty
Born in the Bronx and raised on the rhythms of the city, Mary didn’t just enter the music scene; she kicked the door down. With her groundbreaking debut, What’s the 411?, she seamlessly fused the gritty beats of hip-hop with the soulful melodies of R&B, creating a brand-new sound that earned her the title “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.”
For over three decades, Mary has been the soundtrack to our lives. Her music—raw, honest, and deeply personal—speaks directly to our pain, our joy, and our resilience. Hits like “Real Love,” “Not Gon’ Cry,” and “Family Affair” are timeless anthems that bring us together at every cookout and family reunion. Beyond the microphone, she has conquered Hollywood, earning two Academy Award nominations for her powerful performance in Mudbound and delivering memorable roles in Power Book II: Ghost.
Mary J. Blige is a survivor and a trailblazer who turned her struggles into strength, showing us all that no matter where you start, you can rise to the top. She remains a vital voice in our community, continuing to empower and inspire us with every note she sings.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – January 15th
Source: Express / Getty
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands as a titan of American history, a Baptist minister who became the conscience of a nation and the leading voice of the Civil Rights Movement. With a powerful vision of equality and justice, he championed a revolutionary strategy of nonviolent civil disobedience to dismantle the brutal systems of segregation and racial discrimination. His leadership inspired ordinary people to perform extraordinary acts of courage, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the historic march from Selma.
On August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, a soaring call for freedom and unity that continues to echo through generations. Though his life was tragically cut short, his work fundamentally changed the fabric of America, leading to the passage of landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dr. King’s legacy is not just in the laws he helped change, but in the enduring dream of a world where people are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Regina King – January 15th
Source: Getty
From her early days winning our hearts in classics like 227 and Friday, she has evolved into one of the most respected and versatile artists of her generation. Her journey is a masterclass in longevity and grace, marked by an unwavering commitment to her craft.
As an actress, she delivers performances that are nothing short of breathtaking. Her powerful, soul-stirring role in If Beale Street Could Talk earned her a well-deserved Academy Award, cementing her status as acting royalty. But she didn’t stop there. King stepped behind the camera, proving her visionary talent as a director with the critically acclaimed film One Night in Miami….
Aaliyah – January 16th
Source: Barry King / Getty
Aaliyah Dana Haughton, known to the world simply as Aaliyah, was a true original whose influence on music, fashion, and culture continues to resonate deeply. From her debut with “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number,” she redefined the sound of R&B with her smooth, futuristic production and whisper-soft vocals. With each album, from “One in a Million” to her self-titled masterpiece, Aaliyah pushed the boundaries of the genre, creating a timeless sound that still feels ahead of its time.
More than a singer, she was a style icon. Her signature look—the baggy pants, crop tops, and side-swept hair—shaped the aesthetic of a generation and remains a blueprint for artists today. She seamlessly transitioned to the big screen with starring roles in “Romeo Must Die” and “Queen of the Damned,” proving her star power was limitless.
Tragically, her journey was cut short on August 25, 2001, when she died in a plane crash at the age of 22. Though her time with us was brief, Aaliyah left an everlasting legacy as the “Princess of R&B,” a visionary artist whose spirit continues to inspire.
Debbie Allen – January 16th
Source: WENN
A true renaissance woman, Allen has spent decades shattering glass ceilings as a dancer, choreographer, actress, director, and producer. She danced her way into our hearts and history books with her breakout role as Lydia Grant in the hit series Fame, where her command of the room—and that famous cane—became iconic. Her declaration, “You’ve got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs,” became a mantra for generations of aspiring artists.
Beyond the stage and screen, Allen is a powerhouse behind the camera. She has directed and produced for hit shows like A Different World, Grey’s Anatomy, and Scandal, ensuring that Black stories are told with authenticity and depth. However, her greatest legacy might be her unwavering commitment to mentorship. Through the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, she has opened doors for thousands of young Black and Brown dancers, nurturing the next generation of talent and proving that the arts are a vital lifeline for our community.
Michelle Obama – January 17th
Source: Getty
As the first African American First Lady of the United States, she didn’t just occupy the White House; she transformed it into a “People’s House” where everyone felt welcome. A lawyer, writer, and mother raised on the South Side of Chicago, she brought an authentic voice to Washington that resonated deeply with our community and families across the nation.
During her time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, she launched powerful initiatives that changed lives. Through Let’s Move!, she tackled childhood obesity, while Reach Higher inspired young people to pursue education past high school. Her Joining Forces program rallied support for service members, veterans, and their families, ensuring those who serve are never forgotten.
Beyond policy, Michelle Obama remains a global icon and a beacon of hope. Her memoir, Becoming, wasn’t just a bestseller; it was a cultural phenomenon that invited us all to embrace our own stories. Whether she is speaking out on social issues or empowering the next generation of leaders, our Forever First Lady continues to show us that there is no limit to what we can achieve when we go high.
Muhammed Ali – January 17th
Source: Getty
Born Cassius Clay, he floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, capturing the heavyweight title three times and delivering some of the most memorable bouts in sports history. But his fight outside the ring was even more significant.
Ali was a fearless voice for civil rights and religious freedom, famously refusing the Vietnam draft because of his convictions. At the height of his career, he sacrificed everything to stand tall for his beliefs, becoming a beacon of courage for Black people everywhere. His sharp wit, poetic trash talk, and undeniable charisma made him a cultural icon who transcended sports.
Though the world lost “The Greatest” on June 3, 2016, his spirit remains undefeated. Ali taught us that greatness isn’t just about winning titles; it’s about the courage to be yourself and the strength to fight for others. His legacy as a champion of the people will live on forever.
James Earl Jones – January 17th
Source: MediaPunch / Getty
James Earl Jones was a true national treasure whose work left an indelible mark on stage, screen, and our collective consciousness. His was the voice that commanded a galaxy as Darth Vader in Star Wars and the one that guided a young prince as Mufasa in The Lion King. These two roles alone define him as an icon, providing the definitive voice of both a formidable villain and a beloved father for generations of fans.
But Jones’s talent extended far beyond the recording booth. He was a titan of the theater, a Tony Award-winning actor who mastered Shakespeare and commanded Broadway. His powerful on-screen presence graced countless films, including the classic comedy Coming to America, where he played the unforgettable King Jaffe Joffer. A trailblazer who overcame a childhood stutter to become one of the most celebrated actors of our time, James Earl Jones’s legacy lives on in every voice that soars with purpose and pride.
James Earl Jones passed away in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration. His artistry and presence will always be celebrated, reminding us that his voice—both in sound and spirit—will never fade from our hearts.
Ray J. – January 17th
Source: Getty
First stepping onto the scene as a singer, he gave us undeniable R&B hits like “One Wish” and “Sexy Can I,” creating a smooth sound that became a staple of the 2000s. His musical journey proved his staying power and ability to craft a hit that sticks.
But Ray J’s hustle didn’t stop at music. He became a reality television mainstay, starring in shows like For the Love of Ray J and Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, where his personality and real-life drama kept audiences locked in. Beyond the screen, he has shown a sharp mind for business, most notably with his successful electronics brand, Raycon. From music to reality TV to tech entrepreneurship, Ray J has continuously reinvented himself, proving he is a multifaceted entertainer and businessman.
Tatyana Ali – January 24th
Source: Getty
For millions, Tatyana Ali will forever be Ashley Banks, the sweet and talented youngest daughter from the iconic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. We watched her grow up on our screens, evolving from a pre-teen into a young woman with a powerful singing voice. Her character’s journey into music was a seamless transition into her own real-life recording career, which gave us the timeless R&B hit “Daydreamin’.”
But Ali’s talent extends far beyond Bel-Air. A Harvard graduate, she has built a lasting career as a versatile actress in film and television, consistently delivering memorable performances.
Aaron Neville – January 24th
Source: WENN
Aaron Neville is a true legend of New Orleans soul and R&B. Whether performing solo or harmonizing with his brothers as part of the iconic Neville Brothers, Aaron has carried the rich musical heritage of his hometown to the world stage, blending funk, soul, and gospel into a sound that is uniquely his own.
His 1966 classic, “Tell It Like It Is,” remains a timeless anthem of vulnerability and soul, cementing his place in the pantheon of great vocalists. But Neville didn’t stop there. He found massive crossover success through unforgettable collaborations, most notably his Grammy-winning duets with Linda Ronstadt, like “Don’t Know Much.” His voice is a testament to resilience and beauty, proving that true soul music knows no boundaries.
Alicia Keys – January 25th
Source: Getty
Alicia Keys is a 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist who redefined the landscape of modern R&B with her raw talent and authentic soul. Bursting onto the scene with her debut album, Songs in A Minor, she captivated the world not with flashy gimmicks, but with her classical piano skills, braids, and a voice that felt both timeless and fresh. Hits like “Fallin’” and “If I Ain’t Got You” aren’t just songs; they are anthems that showcase her unique ability to blend classical training with the gritty, heartfelt essence of New York City soul.
Beyond the charts, Alicia is a powerful force for good. She has consistently used her platform to uplift our community, most notably through her work with the Keep a Child Alive foundation, which provides life-saving treatment to families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Whether she is hosting the Grammys with grace, empowering women through her She Is the Music initiative, or penning her truth in her memoir More Myself, Alicia Keys remains a shining example of artistry, activism, and Black excellence.
Etta James – January 25th
Source: Getty
As one of the most dynamic singers in music history, she bridged the gap between rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz, earning her a rightful place as a matriarch of the blues. With a career spanning six decades, “Miss Peaches” didn’t just sing songs; she lived them, pouring her triumphs and struggles into every gritty, soulful note.
Her signature hit, “At Last,” remains the ultimate anthem of romance and resilience, played at weddings and celebrations across our community for generations. But her range went far beyond ballads. Songs like “Tell Mama” and “I’d Rather Go Blind” showcased a raw, emotional power that influenced everyone from Tina Turner to Beyoncé. Etta James was unapologetically herself—bold, brash, and brilliantly talented. She left an indelible mark on the music industry, reminding us all that true soul comes from deep within. Her legacy continues to resonate, proving that a voice like hers never truly fades away. Etta James passed away on January 20, 2012, leaving the music world mourning the loss of a true icon whose influence is still felt in every note of soul, blues, and R&B today.
Oprah Winfrey – January 29th
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty
From humble beginnings in rural Mississippi, she rose to become the undisputed Queen of Media, reshaping the landscape of television forever. For 25 years, The Oprah Winfrey Show was a daily gathering place for millions, where she didn’t just interview guests—she touched souls. Her ability to connect, listen, and share stories of triumph and struggle made her a trusted sister to us all.
But Oprah’s impact goes far beyond the talk show stage. She shattered glass ceilings as the first Black female billionaire in North America, building a media empire that includes the OWN network and O, The Oprah Magazine. A true mogul, she has used her immense platform to empower others, turning books into bestsellers and launching careers with a single endorsement.
Her heart for giving is just as legendary as her business acumen. Through the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa and countless other initiatives, she has dedicated her life to education and lifting others up.
Jackie Robinson – January 31st
Source: Getty
Jackie Robinson was more than just a baseball player; he was a revolutionary who changed the face of America forever. On April 15, 1947, he stepped onto Ebbets Field as a Brooklyn Dodger and shattered the Major League Baseball color barrier. With the number 42 on his back, he carried the hopes and dreams of Black America on his shoulders, facing down racism with dignity, discipline, and undeniable talent.
Robinson’s athleticism was unmatched—he was the Rookie of the Year in 1947 and MVP in 1949—but his true legacy lies in his resilience. By excelling on the diamond despite immense pressure and hostility, he challenged segregation and paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement. He proved that excellence knows no color.
Off the field, Robinson was a tireless advocate for justice, working alongside leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to fight for equality. Today, his legacy is celebrated every year when every player in the league wears number 42, a powerful reminder that his courage opened doors for generations of athletes to come.
Kerry Washington – January 31st
Source: Getty
Kerry Washington is a powerhouse actress, producer, and activist who has masterfully redefined what it means to be a leading lady in Hollywood. While she has delivered acclaimed performances in films like Ray and Django Unchained, it was her groundbreaking role as Olivia Pope in the hit series Scandal that cemented her icon status. For seven seasons, she commanded our attention as a brilliant, complex, and powerful Black woman, proving that our stories deserve to be at the center of the narrative.
As the first Black woman to headline a network drama in nearly four decades, Washington didn’t just play a character; she opened doors. Her production company, Simpson Street, continues to champion diverse stories and creators, ensuring that more voices are heard.
Beyond the screen, she is a fierce advocate for social justice, using her platform to fight for everything from voting rights to gender equality.
AUSTIN, Texas – An off-duty Caldwell County deputy constable is dead, and two men are in custody after a shooting outside an Austin bar early Sunday morning.
38-year-old Thomas Vances has been charged with capital murder of a peace officer and is facing four other unrelated felonies and one misdemeanor.
22-year-old Ronaldo Ernesto Colindres-Simon has been charged with second-degree felony assault on a peace officer and is being held in the Travis County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
Suspect in shooting arrested for capital murder
What we know:
Vances is currently in the Travis County Jail for:
Capital murder of a peace officer
Third-degree felony assault on a family or household member with previous conviction (from 2017)
Second-degree felony burglary of a habitation (from 2024)
Second-degree felony burglary of a habitation (from 2020)
Third-degree felony assault on a family or household member with previous conviction (from 2019)
Misdemeanor criminal trespass (from 2024)
Man arrested for running over deputy constable’s arm after he was shot
Timeline:
Arrest paperwork filed for Colindres-Simon gives a timeline of the investigation into the shooting.
On Jan. 4, just after 2 a.m., APD responded to an “assist agency hotshot” call saying a constable had been shot at Club Rodeo, at 9515 N. Lamar Boulevard.
When officers arrived, they were flagged down by pedestrians in the parking lot and pointed towards two parked cars where they found a uniformed deputy constable on the ground. A bystander had started a tourniquet and told police they had seen at least one gunshot wound to his upper right arm.
The bystander told police that a man had been in an altercation inside the bar and was escorted out by the deputy. The man left the parking lot, but then returned and was told by the deputy that if he kept causing issues, he would go to jail.
The man appeared agitated and was held back by two other men and a woman. One of the men was later identified by police as Colindres-Simon.
The bystander said the man had retrieved a gun from one of the cars. An expletive was yelled and the bystander said he heard a gunshot. He helped the deputy constable to the ground and began life-saving measures, including the tourniquet.
He told police that he saw Colindres-Simon get into one of the cars and try to leave. Colindres-Simon told the bystander he didn’t want anything to do with this and wanted to leave. Despite the bystander’s protests, Colindres-Simon got in the car and reversed over the deputy constable’s arm with one tire.
The bystander prevented him from doing it to the deputy constable’s other arm and yelled at him that he was running him over. The car then drove off.
Officers were able to identify the sedan Colindres-Simon was driving through a social media post, which showed a license plate not belonging to the sedan. Officers also determined two other vehicles had been involved; two of the three vehicles did not have license plates.
Officers did a traffic stop on the sedan for not having a license plate and matching the description of the vehicle that had fled the scene and run over the deputy constable’s arm.
The driver of the sedan was identified as Colindres-Simon, who told police he was parked at Club Rodeo but left because he heard gunshots. However, footage from Armstrong’s body camera showed Colindres-Simon as one of the men holding back the shooting suspect. He also matched the description given to police by the bystander.
The Source: Information in this report comes from arrest paperwork, Travis County jail records, reporting by FOX 7 Austin’s Meredith Aldis and Marco Bitonel, and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin
Kris Mayes believes in the lost art of the town hall.
That conviction recently brought the Arizona attorney general before a group of a few dozen residents of Sun City, Arizona, a far-flung suburb for retirees in the Phoenix area’s West Valley, to hear from residents how a proposed rate hike from the state’s largest utility, Arizona Power Service (APS)—its third in four years—would affect them.
Mayes came with a deeper understanding of energy issues than many who serve in her role.
She once served on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC)—the utility regulator known as Arizona’s “fourth” branch of government—then became a professor of energy law at Arizona State University and a mom. Then, by a margin of 280 votes, state residents elected her to be the Arizona attorney general (“They don’t call me landslide Mayes for nothing,” she joked).
When she was on the ACC, the commissioners would travel the state to hear from the people affected by issues like rate hikes. Mayes worries they won’t in this case due to the unpopularity of APS’s latest price increase.
If APS’s latest rate increase is approved, its customers’ rates would go up 14 to 16 percent, netting the company another $662 million a year; last year, APS reported a profit of just over $600 million.
PowerPoint presentation behind her, Mayes did what an ex-energy law professor does best: Present a lesson on how a rate case works, and how she believes “this is nothing more than a case of blatant corporate greed.”
That’s why she is intervening in the case, she said, signing up the state’s largest law firm tasked with enforcing Arizona’s laws to argue that the rate case should not go through.
“I believe Arizonans deserve a voice,” she told the audience. “These utilities are greedy. They’re asking for too much, and they’re overreaching.”
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks before residents of Sun City about a proposed rate increase from APS, which she opposes. Credit: Wyatt Myskow/Inside Climate News
It’s the first time in state history that the state attorney general has intervened in a rate case, and the latest example of Mayes using her office to wade into environmental and energy issues to protect Arizonans. At a time when climate issues have faded from the vocabulary of many federal and state politicians across the country, Mayes has continued to prioritize them.
She’s sued a controversial industrial farming operation under Arizona’s nuisance laws for causing water wells in rural areas to go dry, fought a mining company’s plan in Chino Valley and filed 30 lawsuits against the Trump administration, many of which have implications for the climate and environmental work in Arizona and across the country. And now she’s intervening in multiple cases before the ACC, from APS and other utilities’ proposed rate increases to opposing plans to repeal the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, both of which she helped co-author and pass while serving as a commissioner.
These are not the typical fights of an attorney general, Mayes conceded in an interview with Inside Climate News. But they should be, she said. She believes the Arizona Corporation Commission “is basically controlled by the utilities”—APS and its parent company, Pinnacle West, have spent millions to elect corporation commission members. Mayes doesn’t believe “the people of Arizona have anybody that’s really fighting for them.”
She knows utility law as well as anyone, and it empowers her to take action in the courts against corporations, “so why wouldn’t I do that?”
She believes these water and energy and environmental issues are not just winning ones, but righteous ones, ones that impact everyday Arizonans. Can a family continue to afford their utility bill in the midst of inflation? Will they still have water coming out of their well?
“My north star is standing up for the people against big corporations when they can’t do it themselves,” she said. “We’re living in a time when more and more people are finding themselves harmed by big corporations and by the consolidation of power among a few corporations, and I don’t know, for whatever reason, not very many politicians seem willing to get in there and lead the fight. I don’t have any problem with doing that. I feel like it’s my duty. If that means I lose an election down the road, so be it. I mean, the people of Arizona put me here by 280 votes, and I want to spend every precious minute fighting for them.”
Mayes is up for reelection next year, when voters will decide if a state politician in the political battleground of Arizona focused on rural groundwater issues and fighting utility rate increases can hold on to office.
Deep Roots in the Arizona Environment
Mayes grew up with her hands in the dirt.
Growing up on a tree farm in Prescott, Arizona, her job was watering the garden and the freshly potted ponderosas, honey locusts and willows. Many of the trees in Prescott today are from the nursery owned by her father, a founding member of the Yavapai County chapter of the Sierra Club. For vacations, the family took the “yellow banana”—an “ugly, old” yellow Mazda station wagon, as Mayes describes it—and headed to the Santa Maria River. The ponderosa pine the family selected as its Christmas tree every year was a “scraggly little sucker.”
“I learned at an early age—helping my dad with the tree farm, watering trees, going to the Santa Maria river, going over on the other side of the county to where the headwaters of the Verde River are—about the value of water and the beauty of our state and the need to conserve it,” Mayes said. “I think that was pretty much drilled into me from day one.”
She attended Arizona State University in Phoenix, where she had a dual-major in politics and journalism, graduating in 1994. As a political reporter for the Arizona Republic at the start of her career, she was barred from the late Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign bus in 2000 for asking inappropriate questions—like why he wasn’t way ahead in the polls in the state where he was a senator.
Mayes was the press secretary for Janet Napolitano’s successful gubernatorial campaign in 2001. In 2003, when a member of the ACC, Jim Earvin, resigned to avoid impeachment after being accused of trying to influence a bidding war for the Southwest Gas Corporation, The law required Napolitano to appoint a Republican replacement. Mayes, who had her own political ambitions, was a Republican.
While she ended up on the commission by chance, the position matched her interests and she ran to keep the seat in 2004 and 2006, serving on the ACC until 2009. Along the way she helped pen Arizona’s energy efficiency and renewable energy standards.
After her time on the commission, she spent a decade at Arizona State University teaching utility and energy law before running for attorney general as a Democrat on a platform to protect Arizonans’ abortion access and address climate change in the state. She’s the only Arizona politician to win statewide office as both a Republican and a Democrat.
“She can go toe-to-toe with anyone on this energy stuff,” said Bill Mundell, a former corporation commissioner who served with Mayes and is now her chief deputy.
“She’s a force of nature,” said Dru Bacon, a retiree who has spent his time advocating for solar energy and has worked with Mayes since her days on the ACC.
Confronting Growth and Diminishing Water Supplies
Arizona is facing an “obvious crisis,” Mayes said.
“We are quickly outstripping our natural resources,” she told Inside Climate News.
The Phoenix area, with its sprawling highways and suburbs, consistently ranks among the country’s worst for air quality. And the water that enabled the nation’s fifth-largest city to rise is rapidly disappearing. From Phoenix to Arizona’s rural stretches, aquifers are vastly overtapped. Planned suburbs on the outskirts of the Phoenix area are on hold asdevelopers search for water. Wells are running dry at churches and homes near industrial farming operations.
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Meanwhile, Arizona’s share of the Colorado River has been cut as the waterway that provides the lifeblood of the Southwest declines due to climate change and vast overconsumption of its water, with the state facing even steeper cuts in tense, ongoing negotiations about how to use less. The Colorado River is split into the Upper Basin states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, and the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada. The two sides are deadlocked over how cuts should be distributed between the seven states.
“We need an adult, serious conversation about how much and how fast we can grow, and where our water supplies are going to come from,” Mayes said.
That conversation, she said, needs to prioritize rural Arizona, where the impacts of the region’s drought are already playing out.
“I think Phoenix politicians think that we’re going to solve this problem on the backs of rural Arizonans by bringing water in from Western Arizona, in part,” she said, referring to deals buying up rural farms to use their water rights to supply cities. Other schemes pump groundwater from unregulated rural aquifers to transfer to cities. “Phoenix politicians are doing some magical thinking about the Colorado River that is just not reality,” she said. “We have a battle royale brewing with the Upper Basin states who, I can tell you, have no intention of backing down.”
Nature, she said, has a way of telling you when your time is up. “And the Colorado River and our groundwater our screaming at us, and they are telling us: ‘You need to get your act together.’”
There are limits to what can be done, Mayes said, and Arizona politicians have to confront that. And it has to be done in a way that doesn’t sacrifice rural Arizonans for the “explosive growth” in places like Phoenix and Tucson. “We have some hard choices ahead of us,” she said.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes listens to residents from Cochise County talk about their concerns regarding groundwater. Credit: Courtesy of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office
Mayes’s comments on Arizona’s water future are remarkably blunt for a state-level politician. Gone are the days when some of the state’s politicians would deny Arizona had a water problem, but even now, after two decades of drought and its fallout, few local leaders will say the region’s growth is unsustainable. In the Phoenix area, its far-flung suburbs like Buckeye are betting on water transfers from rural Arizona to save them. Meanwhile, wells are running dry in rural stretches of La Paz and Cochise counties after decades of overconsumption caused almost exclusively by agriculture.
Since taking office, Mayes has held over 40 town halls across the state. There is no substitute, she said, for physically being in person with people affected by an issue, trying to find ways to help. Often, she’s fighting for Arizonans in rural parts of the state who did not vote for her. She’s had members of the Democratic Party tell her she’s wasting her time on them.
“It’s an incredibly offensive question, because these people deserve my time just as much as somebody living down here in one of these high rises,” she said, gesturing towards the apartment complexes surrounding the AG’s downtown Phoenix office.
In Sun City, retirees on fixed incomes spoke about the challenges of keeping up with costs as inflation rises. A 16 percent increase to their electricity bill would only make it worse, and would be done so that APS can build more power plants for the increasing number of data centers in the state, they fear.
For utilities, it used to be industrial use subsidized residential use, Mayes said. The APS rates have flipped that.
“Data centers are the cotton candy of economic development, but to the degree that we want to facilitate data centers, they definitely should be paying for themselves,” Mayes said. “That burden should not be put on residential consumers.”
“I don’t personally think that Arizona wants to be the data center capital of the world,” she said.
It just might be a politically winning position. Across Arizona, local communities are fighting back against proposed data centers. In Tucson, a local coalition’s critique of a proposed data center backed by Amazon Web Services led the city council to reject the proposal and pass new water restrictions for large users; the project’s developers have continued their push to build it on county land outside the city, but recently Amazon pulled out of the project.
Teri Huff and Susan Colvin, retired Sun City residents who attended the town hall there and are both Republicans, said it was refreshing to have an attorney general like this who shows up to listen. They might just have to vote for her—even if she’s a Democrat.
About This Story
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Wyatt Myskow covers drought, biodiversity and the renewable energy transition throughout the Western U.S. Based in Phoenix, he previously reported for The Arizona Republic and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Wyatt has lived in the Southwest since birth and graduated from Arizona State University with his bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Great Job By Wyatt Myskow & the Team @ Inside Climate News Source link for sharing this story.
BEN SHAPIRO (HOST): Now, there are some people who have asked the legal question, what is the legal basis for this? So let’s be clear. When people say there is a violation of international law, no one cares. There is no such thing as international law. It is nonsense.
It is nonsense because there is no enforcement mechanism. You know what international law really is? The law of the jungle. The reality is that the strong do what they will and the weak do what they must. That is the law of international relations. There is no alternative to it.
All attempts to establish some alternative to it have failed, which is why self-defense is necessary and why a strong military is necessary for powerful Western states and why a stronger America in the world is better for the world.
I saw a hilarious post by somebody who said, well, now that we’ve done this, what’s to stop China from morally attempting to take Taiwan? I wasn’t aware that China was bound by our moral strictures. If they were, I don’t think that they would be China, actually. I don’t think that Russia is waiting around for our opinions. They’re just doing what they want, and the thing that stops them is us, not our moral suasion.
On a moral level, by the way, taking out a communist dictator who has impoverished his people and destroyed his country is, in fact, morally superior to taking out, say, a democratic leader in another country who is not doing any of those things. Some bizarre moral relativism that is set in on both the horseshoe left and the isolationist right is pretty astonishing to watch.
Great Job Media Matters for America & the Team @ Media Matters for America Source link for sharing this story.
