Another Ring on the Tree Trunk

So Tuesday was my 79th birthday, a time to look back and remember. This caused a certain degree of angst over regrets, actions both taken and not taken.

I’m also proud of certain things. Being a father six times over and a grandfather.

And of my career as a journalist.

It started small, as a freshman in college writing for the sports page of my college paper.

But it soon grew into a life-long passion for covering the use and abuse of power in all its manifestations.

I also am happy about more peaceful things — art, music, literature, nature. A friend from long ago sent me the first birthday message of my day. She wrote: “Despite destructive humans, nature keeps nurturing and spring is here. I saw a fox and a pheasant in the yard today. :)”

I liked that.

HEADLINES:

• U.S. Oil Blockade Is Set to Boost American Exports—and Prices at the Pump (WSJ)

• Why geography gives Iran an edge in the Strait of Hormuz (WP)

• Middle East War Will Slow Global Economic Growth, I.M.F. Warns (NYT)

• Orbán Was First. Trump Is Next. (Bulwark)

• Trump’s Erratic Behavior and Extreme Comments Revive Mental Health Debate (NYT)

• The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was deeply concerned by attacks on medical workers in Lebanon after a deadly strike on a Red Cross center in the country and the death of a volunteer a day ‌earlier. (Reuters)

• Woman says Swalwell drugged and raped her; plans to file police report (MS)

• Hegseth’s Unholy War (Atlantic)

• Trump family deal spree could open door for future presidents to profit from office (AP)

• Catholic Vance Breaks Silence on Trump’s Jesus-Like Image Amid Outcry From Other Conservatives (Time)

• How Trump’s Jesus-like image and feud with the Pope are sparking backlash (BBC)

• Most feel taxes are too high despite Trump’s tax changes, polls show (AP)

• Anti-MAGA Rocker Slams Trump With Savage New Title (Daily Beast)

• French woman, 86, held by ICE after moving to US to reunite with long-lost love (BBC)

• Engagement” is a dumb metric (BI)

• CEOs are betting AI will augment work rather than displace all workers (CNBC)

• Anthropic Mythos And Embracing The AI ‘Bugmageddon’ (Forbes)

• The attacks on Sam Altman are a warning for the AI world (Verge)

• Pentagon Develops Tactical Zoot Suit (Onion)