Bob’s Hailstone Chronicles 7-12-25

Saturday Edition

Bob’s Hailstone Chronicles – Saturday, July 12, 2025

by Jim Reynolds | www.reynolds.com

🧠 Grook

"When fear meets diversion, democracy chases its own tail, wondering why it's dizzy."

🌪 Introduction

It’s Saturday, but the pace hasn’t slowed. Intelligence scares, policy puzzles, and political posturing—from Trump’s rally threats to simmering AI anxieties—feed a dizzy carousel. Bob’s watching time tick, but Jim? He’s checking the scoreboard—and timing the spins.

📰 Story Summaries

1. U.S. Had Intel on Threat to Trump’s Life Before Butler Rally – Susan Crabtree, RCP
Officials reportedly flagged a serious security threat before Trump’s Butler appearance, yet the event proceeded uninterrupted—raising questions about risk management or political resolve.
Leans: Center | Menacing | Security-focused
Bob: “Plot beats platform.”
Jim: “Is this just another version of Scott Adams’ theory about large organizations?”

2. Can Jay Powell Make It Through the Weekend? – Larry Kudlow, New York Sun
Kudlow warns that Powell is under pressure to balance market calm with inflation control—a blend of economic gymnastics that may test the Fed chair’s endurance beyond this weekend.
Leans: Right | Strategic | Market-aware
Bob: “Powell’s juggling time bombs.”
Jim: “Larry is wearing this one out.”

3. Democrats Finally Have a Plan. Sort Of – Jason Linkins, New Republic
Linkins outlines a half-baked Democratic strategy—budget tweaks and social measures without cohesion or clear funding—suggesting internal discord and tactical hedging.
Leans: Left | Hollow | Bureaucratic
Bob: “It’s a menu without prices.”
Jim: “A story about nothing.”

4. Why Isn't Obama Under Investigation? – Jesse Watters, FOX News
Watters posits that Obama-era decisions, particularly on foreign affairs and surveillance, warrant scrutiny, questioning whether justice is applied evenly across administrations.
Leans: Right | Cynical | Investigative
Bob: “Some inquiries come with inauguration invites.”

5. Why the GOP’s Recycled Midterms Strategy Won’t Work – Ed Kilgore, NY Magazine
Kilgore argues that rehashing old GOP midterm messaging won’t win over today’s voters, who seek fresh solutions rather than well-worn talking points.
Leans: Center-Left | Insightful | Predictable
Bob: “Polling doesn’t care what’s in reruns.”
Jim: “They need to figure out a way to get past Epstein – or it’s curtains.”

6. What the Constitution Says About Birthright Citizenship – Nolan Rappaport, The Hill
Rappaport examines the 14th Amendment's history and original intent—and concludes that birthright citizenship remains constitutionally clear, countering recent rollback attempts.
Leans: Center | Revealing | Legal
Bob: “Ink from 1868 writes today’s headlines.”
Jim: “Now, exactly WHY was this amendment written? For Salvadoran criminals?”

7. The Absurdity of Affirmative Action – Thomas Williams, The Atlantic
Williams critiques the contradictions and superficial outcomes of current affirmative action policies, arguing real equity demands structural changes—not tokenism.
Leans: Center-Left | Critical | Thoughtful
Bob: “Tokens don’t equate to talent.”
Jim: “I don’t see how the word “center” fits anything The Atlantic publishes.”

8. How Foreign Enrollment Transformed Higher Ed – Marc Andreessen, Reagan Foundation
Andreessen traces how U.S. colleges rely heavily on foreign tuition, warping institutional priorities and leaving them exposed to global shifts in enrollment.
Leans: Right | Strategic | Revealing
Bob: “Tuition fair or admission trap?”
Jim: “I’m old fashioned - I like the idea of US schools for US citizens.”

9. 'America Caucus' Could Change DC Faster – Nancy Jacobson, RCP
Jacobson reports on a new bipartisan caucus aiming to reset DC's partisan gridlock—a test of whether moderate coalitions can harness real legislative power.
Leans: Center | Hopeful | Pragmatic
Bob: “Grey ain’t always beige.”
Jim: “I guess I’m in the middle on this one.”

10. Bongino Weighs Quitting Over Handling of Epstein Files – NY Post
Bongino threatens resignation amid FBI’s seizure of Epstein-related documents, highlighting evolving tensions between conservative media and federal authority.
Leans: Right | Menacing | Self-incriminating
Bob: “When evidence fractures loyalties, the loyal walk.”
Jim: “No easy day on this one.”

11. Grave Concerns Over Bondi's Judgment at DOJ – Sean Davis, X
Davis questions AG Pam Bondi’s decisions regarding DOJ investigations tied to Epstein—suggesting accountability gaps at the department.
Leans: Right | Cynical | Bureaucratic
Bob: “Justice wears two faces in D.C.—each smiles in daylight.”
Jim: “There must be a good reason for her to act counter to what her constituents want. I just don’t know what that could be. And that is the problem.”

12. Disaffected Laptop Class Fears the AI Revolution – Mark Mills, City Journal
Mills captures how tech professionals are growing uneasy about AI’s rise—facing not just disruption but existential questions about their voice and relevance.
Leans: Center-Right | Devastating | Bizarre
Bob: “Silicon whispers, then rewrites.”
Jim: “It is not man versus machine. It is man with machine. And we are the boss.”

🔁 End Note

Today’s carousel spun through fear, finance, governance, and identity crises—yet amid all this noise, one quiet theme emerges: the hunger for genuine stability. Whether it’s centrist caucuses, constitutional clarity, or tech unease, people seek anchors—not alarms. Democracy isn’t a spectacle; it’s a fragile instrument that needs tuning—not simply cheering or blaming. So tune it, don’t turn it off. Bob’s already listening for the dissonance—the rest of us should too.

Note on Sources:

All stories referenced here come from the RealClearPolitics homepage. For full articles and original context, visit the site directly.