For Vladimir Putin’s purposes, Donald Trump would be a perfect American president, Franklin Foer writes. And while there’s little evidence Putin is actively involved in the Trump campaign, the circumstantial connections between the two are many. “A foreign power that wishes ill upon the United States has attached itself to a major presidential campaign,” Foer warns. “And though it may be a mere coincidence, Trump’s inner circle is populated with advisers and operatives who have long careers advancing the interests of the Kremlin.”
Michael Bloomberg announced in 2014 that he would carry out an all-out assault on the National Rifle Association’s influence by funding a new advocacy organization, Everytown for Gun Safety. So—how’s that going? “The victories Bloomberg’s group has secured in the past two years, while seemingly modest, should encourage and intrigue anyone who has despaired at the unbreakable grip the gun lobby has had over American lawmakers,” Leon Neyfakh reports.
Last week, Neil deGrasse Tyson called for a nation ruled by “the weight of evidence,” and historians, political scientists, and science studies people everywhere groaned a collective groan of exasperation. Jeffrey Guhin explains why Tyson’s “Rationalia” is a tired, and misguided, idea: “First, experts usually don’t know nearly as much as they think they do … Second, science has no business telling people how to live.”
To the chagrin of those who wouldn’t like to see the Golden State Warriors get any more dominant than they already are, and the glee of the team’s supporters, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant announced on July 4 that he would become a Warrior in the 2016–2017 season. Josh Levin points out that Durant’s move is a great example of how collective bargaining has shaped the NBA.
“When money is no longer a differentiating factor, players will inevitably choose the franchises that give them the best opportunity to win,” Levin points out. “By mandating that the best players don’t get paid like the best players, the CBA has given us the era of the super team.”
For fun: Speaking of dream teams: Should Hillary, who has said she wants to fill half her Cabinet with women, ever decide to appoint an all-female group, she might like to refer to this list of potential appointees.
Hey, we can always fantasize,
Rebecca