15 Brief Essays and Articles Worth Reading 

1. “A Rare Trifecta”
Joel Bowman, Substack

Joel Bowman is a smart man and a good writer. In this essay, he highlights three major global developments: a surprising pivot toward peace in Europe regarding the Ukraine conflict, a renewed commitment from Donald Trump to balance the US budget through a “zero deficit” strategy, and political and economic upheaval in Argentina. Read it here.

2. “Biden Lied About Everything…”
Matt Taibbi, Racket News

Matt Taibbi reacts to a NYT exposé detailing how US and NATO leaders, including President Biden, misled the public on the scope and risk of the Ukraine war. The article portrays the revelations as a historic betrayal, alleging that the administration escalated conflict while publicly downplaying nuclear risk for political reasons. Read it here.

3. “The Family of a Murdered Gaza Protester Speaks Out”
Tanya Lukyanova, The Free Press

A harrowing report about the murder of 22-year-old Uday al-Rabbay by Hamas in Gaza. The article includes firsthand accounts from his family, describing his activism against Hamas, the brutal torture he endured, and the chilling message left with his body. It provides rare insight into dissent and repression within Gaza. Read it here.

4. “How Many Millions Are Fraudulently Receiving Social Security Checks…”
Michael Snyder, Substack

Alleging widespread fraud in US entitlement programs, particularly Social Security, the article highlights discrepancies between official enrollment numbers and census data, raises concerns about non-citizens obtaining Social Security numbers, and features Elon Musk as a whistleblower revealing massive abuse in the system. Read it here.

5. “Jay Bhattacharya: ‘Fauci’s Pardon Is a Good Thing’”
Maya Sulkin, The Free Press

An interview with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, now head of the NIH, reflecting on his public vilification during COVID for opposing lockdowns. He discusses being targeted by Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins but advocates for forgiveness and learning from past mistakes. The article underscores the political and scientific fallout of pandemic-era policies. Read it here.

6. “Lawfare à la Française Against Marine Le Pen”
The Wall Street Journal

An editorial criticizing a French court ruling against right-wing politician Marine Le Pen, suggesting it is politically motivated “lawfare” intended to block her 2027 presidential run. The piece argues the verdict undermines democracy by targeting opposition through legal means rather than open political competition. Read it here.

7. “Luigi Mangione Fans ‘Coming in Hot’ After News of Death Penalty”
Olivia Reingold, The Free Press

After the DOJ announced it would seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione – charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO – his supporters rapidly donated over $12,000 to his legal fund, framing him as a folk hero fighting corporate injustice. The case has sparked widespread online activism, including ballot initiatives targeting insurance companies. Read it here.

8. “No Deportations Without Due Process”
The Free Press

This editorial criticizes the Trump administration’s deportation of pro-Palestinian student activists without public evidence or due process. It centers on the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish PhD student accused of ties to Hamas, raising civil liberties concerns and sparking bipartisan alarm over potential violations of free speech. Read it here.

9. “Elon Musk and the American Majority”
The Wall Street Journal

This opinion piece highlights new polling showing strong bipartisan support for reducing government waste – bolstering Elon Musk’s position as head of the Dept. of Government Efficiency despite media attacks. The column argues that Democrats are failing to win over even their own base on spending issues. Read it here.

10. “Why Did Biden Put Tulsi Gabbard Under Government Surveillance?”
Jack Hunter and Rand Paul, Rand Paul Review

Sen. Rand Paul demands answers after learning that Tulsi Gabbard, now Director of National Intelligence, was placed on the TSA’s surveillance list during the Biden administration. The article alleges politically motivated targeting and warns of the growing use of federal surveillance against dissenters. Read it here.

11. “The left AGAIN tries to use the courts to thwart democracy”
Alex Berenson, Unreported Truths

Berenson draws parallels between France’s disqualification of Marine Le Pen from running in 2027 and the American left’s legal tactics against Trump. He frames both as elite-driven efforts to undermine populist political movements through judicial overreach. Read it here.

12. “Trump Wins a Big One on Executive Power”
The Wall Street Journal 

The editorial celebrates a DC Circuit ruling that affirms the president’s authority to fire heads of independent federal agencies. The case could head to the Supreme Court, potentially reshaping the balance of power between the executive branch and regulatory bureaucracy. Read it here.

13. “What I Saw at the MAGA Revolution” 
Matthew Continetti, The Free Press

Continetti reflects on the ideological evolution of the New Right from 2016 to 2025, noting how Trump-aligned populism has overtaken traditional conservatism. He cautions that the movement now faces a choice: Become a serious governing philosophy or devolve into grievance and chaos. Read it here.

14. “Will Cartel Members Now Face Execution?”
Madeleine Rowley, The Free Press

The US has designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, expanding its legal power to seize assets and pursue capital punishment. The move signals a dramatic escalation in the war on drug trafficking, with bipartisan support and major implications for US-Mexico relations. Read it here.

15. “Legal Battles Against Trump Advance in Blue-State Territory”
Jess Bravin, The Wall Street Journal

Almost all the 140-plus lawsuits against Trump policies have been filed in federal circuits where Democratic appointees predominate. Conservative groups and Republican-led states funneled lawsuits against Biden administration policies into a handful of jurisdictions, particularly the Fifth Circuit, perhaps the most conservative federal appeals court, which oversees Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Read it here.

10 Brief YouTube Videos for Your Amusement 

1. Beatboxer recreating the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song. 
Watch Time: 54 sec.

Hiss, a South Korean beatboxer, recreates the theme song for Thomas the Tank Engine (from the children’s show Thomas & Friends) by layering on beats and harmonies emanating entirely through his mouth.

2. Lefties losing it outside Tesla dealerships.
Watch Time: 16 min.

A video report by Ford Fischer documents a series of anti-Elon Musk protests in seven US cities, accompanied by counter protesters defending Musk and Tesla. The piece captures the cultural clash surrounding Musk, with both supporters and detractors expressing strong opinions, often face-to-face, on public sidewalks and in intense exchanges.

3. CouplaBeers commercial.
Watch Time: 2.39 min.

SNL is getting funny again. Here’s a great skit starring and probably written by Sean Gillis, which is why it’s funny.

4. His sportsmanship won everyone’s heart. 
Watch Time: 45 sec.

This sort of sportsmanship is rare in professional sports today. But when you see it, it makes you wonder how it became passé.

5. The hairiest face in the world.
Watch Time: 3.14 min.

Hypertrichosis is a very rare disease that caused excessive hair to grow all over his body. In an astonishing display of bad taste on the part of the Guinness organization and an equally shameful level of bad judgement on my part, I bring you Lalit Patidar, a teenager from India, who has just won the World Record for “hairiest face on a male person.” If you watch the entire thing, the guilt you feel about clicking the link may diminish.

6. Amazing billiards shot.
Watch Time: 50 sec.

Got a few seconds for a trick shot in billiards that is hard to believe? (I checked. It’s real.)

7. Gravity explained by Muppets.  
Watch Time: 5 min.

You may have heard that one of the fascinating aspects of the law of gravity is that two objects that have very different weights (such as a feather and a bar of lead) will drop to the ground at the same rate of speed.  That’s what I thought. Here, two Muppets (that I’ve never seen before) visit Adam Savage (of Tested fame) to explain some of the facts about gravity, such as air resistance.

8. Baby chicks cuddle on a blind cat’s belly.
Watch Time: 1.5 min. 

Here’s something to warm your cold heart. A blind cat named Mr. Fox has such a calming personality that he’s able to make the most unlikely of friends – including dogs, rabbits, and even baby birds.

9. Guitarist adds heavy metal to a Bulgarian folk song.
Watch Time: 2.31 min.

I bet you’ve never heard of Bre Petrunko. I didn’t – before I saw this clip of a Bulgarian choir singing it, with Andre Antunes, a Bulgarian rock musician, adding some electronic licks. One critic praised his performance for giving “these singers great respect, letting their voices shine through as he plays.”

I thought it was kind of great, so I looked up the song. Here are the lyrics in Bulgarian…

Bre Petrunko, malay mome
Vse yodime yobidome
Nigde yoro ne naydo me
V vashe selo dor tri yora
Parvo yoro Petrunkino
Petrunitsa yoro vodi
Yozdol ide ludo mlado
Ne se fana na sredata
Nay se fana na tanetso
Na tanetso do Petrunka
S per iko si kitka roni
S nozde si yi ekli kalya

And in English…

Hey Petrunka, young girl
We’ve gone all over
Nowhere did we find a dance
In your village there are three dances
The first dance is little Petrunka’s
Little Petrunka leads the dance
Up came a wild fellow
He doesn’t go to the middle
But he joins at the head
At the head by Petrunka
He tears her bouquet with his forehead
He muddies her slippers with his feet

10. Would you take a ride with this guy?
Watch Time: 3.17 min.

Watch Glorioso, a Peruvian bus driver, navigate an incredibly treacherous route through the rough terrain and tight turns of the Peruvian Andes. Glorioso, who has been driving this route for over 12 years, stated that it requires both calm and confidence.

What I’ve done with the videos that I’m recommending this time is a bit of what I think is an improvement. Instead of covering 25 to 30 different subjects, I’m covering just 10. But I’m providing two or three links for each of them, with the expectation that you will find some of them worth more than just a minute or two of your time.

1. Super Cute and Immensely Skilled 

2 videos
Total Watch Time: 9 min.

Her name is Yoeun Seoul. She was born in South Korea in 2012. She began training in classical violin when she was just shy of three years old. According to her parents, she “loves reading and enjoys figure skating and is attending Cheon Cheon Elementary School.” Recently, she started a YouTube channel to record some of her practices and performances. (She has 800,000 subscribers.)

Here she is at eight years old doing some impressive work. Watch Time: 4 min.

And here she is a year or two older showing immensely improved skills – virtuosity, IMHO. Watch Time: 5 min.

2. Bill Hader Off the Cuff

2 videos
Total Watch Time: 8.5 min.

Bill Hader in a brilliant comedian, a successful producer, and a likeable actor. Here he tells Conan O’Brien a little story about his daughter that turns into a laugh fest. Watch Time: 3 min.

And here he is being interviewed by “Jiminy Glick.” Note how Bill handles it. Like a pro. Watch Time: 5.5 min.

3. From Sheep and Potato Farmer to National Hero

3 videos
Total Watch Time: 8.5 min.

You gotta love this story. Cliff Young was a 61-year-old Australian farmer who figured he was good enough to compete against the best long-distance runners in the world because he had spent a good part of his adult life chasing sheep and cattle around his potato farm. He somehow managed to get registered in what was considered the most challenging ultra-marathon – a brutal 541-mile race from Sidney to Melbourne – even though he had never run in a race in his life. His performance shocked the racing world and stole the hearts of his fellow Australians. Watch Time: 1.25 min.

Here’s a slightly longer take on it that will give you an idea of the competition he faced. Watch Time: 3 min.

And if you’d like to know more about Cliff Young, watch this. Watch Time: 4.25 min.

4. The Biggest Lies from the Big Food Cartel 

2 videos
Total Watch Time: 4.25 min.

As a publisher of health and fitness information for more than 30 years, I’ve worked with dozens of very credible doctors, nutritionists, and health scientists. Dr. Al Sears, one of the first of those experts I had the pleasure of working with, is one of the best. Here he debunks a very common myth about nutrition: that chicken is better than red meat. Watch Time: 2.25 min.

And here he talks about the four biggest vegetarian lies. Watch Time: 2 min.

5. Daddy Yankee’s Gasolina Resurfaces in Africa 

3 videos
Total Watch Time: 6.5 min.

Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, known professionally as Daddy Yankee, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. Dubbed the “King of Reggaeton,” he is often cited as an influence by other Hispanic performers. Twenty years ago, Daddy Yankee produced a record called Gasolina. It became an international hit, although I never heard of it. And neither did you. Admit it. In recent years, it’s become a favorite among African amateur video makers.

Here’s a group of “ghetto kids” from Namibia doing it. Watch Time: 1 min.

Here it is with my favorite African group. Watch Time: 2.5 min.

And here it goes slightly bad with a Zumba group. Watch Time: 3 min.

6. Kiwi Humor at Its Most Authentic 

2 videos
Total Watch Time: 4 min.

Nick Caper is a New Zealand comedian best known for his role in Bruce, a black comedy series. Here he talks about how he wins fights by using his brains. Watch Time: 2 min.

And here he is talking about horror movies. Watch Time: 2 min.

7. Loren DiGiorgi: Nerdy Look, Great Piano Teacher

2 videos
Total Watch Time: 5 min.

He’s obviously a good piano player and a master of musicology. I’d have liked to have him as my high school music teacher. Here he gives us a piano lesson. Watch Time: 3 min.

And here he shows us how Mozart’s Turkish Rondo would sound as ragtime, jazz, and blues. Watch Time: 2 min.

 
8. Never Seen This Before: Serenading Animals

3 videos
Total Watch Time: 9 min.

I like this guy’s shtick. He seems to be French, but you wouldn’t know it when he sings in French. Somehow, he got the idea of getting famous on social media by playing his guitar and singing to animals – all sorts of animals – to see how they would react. As it happened, they responded very positively. It does make one wonder what we’ve failed to figure out in terms of our commonality with animals.

Here he is performing a song in French that demonstrates the quality of his voice. Watch Time: 4.5 min.

But that’s not why I like him. I like him because of the bits he does with the animals. Like this one. Watch Time: 1.5 min.

And this one. Watch Time: 3 min.

9. Matt Rife’s Impromptu Comedy

3 videos 
Total Watch Time: 4.75 min.

I feel like I discovered Matt Rife because I came across him by chance when I was doing my YouTube addiction scan. But I didn’t. According to Wikipedia, he’s an American comedian and actor. He is best known for his self-produced comedy specials, as well as his recurring role on the sketch improv comedy and rap show Wild ‘n Out. He’s one of those great white comedians who does well with “sensitive” issues.

Here’s a taste. Watch Time: 1.25 min.

Here he deals with autistic children. Watch Time: 2 min.

Here’s another good one. Watch Time: 1.5 min.

10. Intriguing: The Mystery of “The Hat Man” 

2 videos
Total Watch Time: 10 min.

Countless people claim to have seen The Hat Man – a shadowy figure in a wide-brimmed hat – while experiencing sleep paralysis, bringing on an overwhelming sense of dread. Why have so many people, throughout time and across different cultures, reported the same eerie encounter? Is it a neurological glitch or something more?

Here’s one explanation. Watch Time: 2 min.

Here’s another one. Watch Time: 8 min.

Funny,Interesting,Surprising,Thrilling, Enlightening… 
25 Quick Videos Worth the Watching 

Average Watch Time: 1.5 min. 
Total Watch Time: 37 min. 

1. Good business advice from Jeff Bezos (based on a fundamental Warren Buffett insight).
Watch Time: about 1 min. 

2. Entitlement and dependency. The left is in an uproar about President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the mostly evil USAID. Here is a former Kenyan president telling his fellow Kenyans what he thinks about it.
Watch Time: about 1 min.

3. Is DOGE legal?
Watch Time: 2 min.

4. A mother’s revenge. This looks like justice to me. What do you think?
Watch Time: about 1 min.

5. Curious. Did you know that there is a class system in trailer parks?
Watch Time: about 1 min.

6. Disturbing. The MGRM experiment.
Watch Time: 2 min.

7. Pulse-pounding. According to someone, “Mongol metal is the new metal genre rocking the whole world.” And then there’s this.
Watch Time: 4 min.

8. Interesting. Who discovered the lost Amazon cities and destroyed them?
Watch Time: less than 1 min.

9. Cute animal videos are just… well, cute. Here’s one that I especially enjoyed last week.
Watch Time: 23 sec.

10. I feel the same way about cute kid videos. Like this one.
Watch Time: 26 sec.

11. This is opera. A trailer for a recent production at La Scala that shows why this venerable opera house still matters.
Watch Time: 1 min.

12. Don’t say this to a truly big man.
Watch Time: about 1 min.

13. Remarkable. How rats survived the Ice Age and conquered the world.
Watch Time: 2.5 min.

14. A great idea. “Smart glasses” to aid the deaf. (But I don’t think this is ready for prime time. Maybe in another few years.)
Watch Time: 3 min.

15. Funny. Bill Burr on happiness and the simple male brain.
Watch Time: about 2.5 min.

16. Funny and true. Random comedian goes off on the Obamas.
Watch Time: less than 1 min.

17. Funny and cool. When Sam Jackson met Marlon Brando.
Watch Time: less than 1 min.

18. Africana kids dancing. I can’t get enough of this stuff.
Watch Time: about 1 min.

19. Relive Myanmar star Thway Lin Htet’s all-out brawl with Thai standout Ganchai.
Watch Time: 3 min.

20. Unwelcome facts. Man silences Woke crowd with immigration data.
Watch Time: less than 1 min.

21. When asked a tough question… Trump shuts down CNN hosts.
Watch Time: about 2 min.

22. Fun. Cop trolls man who identifies as a cat.
Watch Time: about 1 min.

23. Iconic. Michael Jackson’s standstill at the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show.
Watch Time: 2 min.

24. Want REAL Romance? Ian McKellen shares his story.
Watch Time: 1.5 min.

25. Tell me if you don’t think this Radiohead cover is beautiful. 
Watch Time: about 1 min.

Funny, Interesting, Surprising, Shocking, Thrilling… 
24 Quick Videos Worth the Watching 

Average Watch Time: 54.6 seconds 
Total Watch Time: 20 minutes

1. Spooky: Carl Sagan’s “Foreboding of an America.”

2. Reality Check: Former Kenyan president responds to Trump’s dismantling of USAID. 

3. Emotional: James Blunt doesn’t need sentimental music to make this song a heart-breaker. (Try not to tear up.)

4. Impressive: A fantastic beatbox performance by an unknown talent.

5. Inspiring: Dr. Gabor Maté on lifetime regrets.

6. Exciting: Killer dance moves.

7. Intriguing: Three ways to grow new brain cells.

8. Insightful: American vs. British comedy – “The “Underdog Debate” by Ricky Gervais.

9. Silly: Speed dating for an Arab prince.

10. Interesting: Three traits women find irresistible in men.

11. Fun. Celebs reacting to impressions of themselves. (This guy is good!)

12. Brilliant: Eternal inflation and the multiverse with Brian Cox.

13. Interesting: What is junk DNA? (Dr. James Tour on redefining human origins)

14. Funny: When black guys and white guys laugh…

15. Eye-opening: Joe Rogan on Bill and Hillary Clinton.

16. Puzzling: Attractive women explaining science. (Is this a thing?)

17. Funny: A Finnish comic takes on the English language.

18. Thrilling: Great fight, great commentary. I came across this the other night. I was surprised I’d never seen it before.

19. Fascinating: Einstein’s prediction proven after his death.

20. Moving: A story about an amazing man that was discredited by the liberal media.

21. Exciting: The first ever CRISPR gene-editing medicine!

22. Amazing: The secret mistake embedded in the speed of light.

23. Noteworthy: “Grow Up” – Megyn Kelly calls out CNN pundit.

24. WOW!: The greatest Led Zeppelin cover? You tell me!

Funny, Fascinating, Surprising, Shocking… 
24 Quick Videos Worth the Watching 

Average Watch Time: 30 seconds 
Total Watch Time: 12 minutes

1. Fascinating: Carl Sagan predicted the world as we know it today. Click here.

2. So Great: Burt Reynolds on the genius of Johnny Carson. Click here.

3. Surprising: I was taught that native Americans were communal and peaceful. Maybe in some cases. Here’s how the Comanche tribe waged war against their enemies. Click here.

4. Interesting: Could Gavin have done more? Click here.

5. Funny: Shane Gillis might be a terrorist. Click here.

6. Interesting: I’ve been following this woman, thinking how great it would have been to have her as my high school science teacher. Click here.

7. Exciting: Rodtang meets Takeru. One of the best Mui Thai fights I’ve ever seen – and on so many levels. Click here.

8. Impressive: This is what happens if you try a catchya on Charlie Kirk. Click here.

9. Funny: Very cool for this wee story to end up on late night television. Click here.

10. Disturbing and Satisfying: Man assaults female police officer. Click here.

11. Instructive: Why you should know your bullets. Click here.

12. Fun and Interesting: Arab gulf countries explained in two minutes. Click here.

13. Fun and Interesting: Central America explained in two minutes. Click here.

14. Pathetic: CBS host tries a catchya on JD Vance. Click here.

15. Interesting: Gorilla play is virtually identical to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and, like BJJ, biting is not allowed. Click here.

16. Edifying: Nixon was much smarter than most people of my generation understand. Click here.

17. Insightful: Dave Chappelle on the inside story of the Chris Rock slap. Click here.

18. Funny: “Master” Ken teaches the advanced fish hook technique. Click here.

19. Interesting: “Trump is the best salesman I’ve ever work with.” (Barbara Corcoran) Click here.

20. Fun: This guy is all over the web. He’s actually a world-class weightlifter. Click here.

21. Surprising and Instructive: I used to think that Ronald Reagan’s success was based on his good looks and charm. But I’ve been watching old videos of him and now think he was smarter and wiser than any other president that followed him. Click here.

22. Funny: Praise the lord! Politically incorrect humor is back. Click here.

23. Can’t Wait: Trump is liberating the Kennedy files. Click here.

24. Instructive: Can Cops COVER Your Security Cameras!? Click here.