Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently scored a rare conservative victory when Disney settled a lawsuit seeking to restore its ability to govern the Disneyworld region. This settlement is seen as a huge win for DeSantis, who took on Disney after the company vowed to push for the repeal of a law banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. By sticking to his guns, DeSantis forced Disney to blink, which serves as a reminder to Republican leaders to stand firm in their beliefs.
In the midst of the Israel war, Seth Cropsey argues that the focus should be on Iran in Syria and Lebanon, rather than on Hamas and the Houthis. He emphasizes the need for Israel to fight an attrition war against Iran, with support from the US despite political opposition. By targeting Iran’s military capacity in Syria and Lebanon, Israel and America have the opportunity to degrade its state capacity, forcing Iran to either assume direct control or shrink its defense perimeter to Iraq.
Mark Temnycky warns against calls for a forced agreement between Ukraine and Russia, as they ignore Russia’s history of violating ceasefires and international norms. Despite past negotiated agreements, Russian forces continue to occupy regions like Transnistria in Moldova and Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. Lessons from previous conflicts show that embarrassment and defeat are the only things that will make Russia quit an invasion like the one in Ukraine.
Critics point out the hypocrisy of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who criticized former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel for lying while she herself has been caught in lies. Psaki has made inaccurate claims on various issues, including inflation, abortion, and the evacuation from Afghanistan. While both women have lied for political expediency, Psaki is seen as being more proficient in lies compared to McDaniel.
Ronald Bailey criticizes the FDA for its handling of medical innovation, particularly during the pandemic. The FDA’s approval procedures hindered the rollout of COVID-19 tests developed by various laboratories. Now, the FDA wants to regulate laboratory developed tests as medical devices, which could negatively impact clinical innovation and the ability to provide quality care to patients. Stifling innovation in this way could have long-term consequences on medical advancements.
Overall, these issues highlight various challenges facing different sectors, from political battles between governors and corporations to international conflicts and medical regulations impacting innovation. The need for transparency, accountability, and a focus on the greater good is evident across these different areas, as individuals and institutions navigate complex and often contentious issues.
