Torch & Crow Quick Takes 08-09-25
Saturday, August 9 – Torch & Crow Edition
By Jim Reynolds | www.reynolds.com
Grook:
When tempers flare and headlines bite,
Remember—truth won’t match the site.
Some news is spun, some news is bent,
Most outrage’s just pre-packaged scent.
Trump, Putin Will Meet in Alaska Next Week
Escobedo, Jacobs & Cordes, CBS News
Trump and Putin will meet on U.S. soil for the first time since Trump’s return to office, choosing Alaska as neutral ground. The White House calls it a bid for stability; critics see echoes of old Russiagate suspicions. Bob says, “If they ink a fishing deal before fixing NATO dues, I’m selling my tackle box.”
Leans: Right – CBS skeptical of Trump; framing leans toward reviving Russia collusion tropes.
How Can the Fed Set Rates When Jobs Data Is This Broken?
Scott Bessent, MSNBC
With job numbers increasingly unreliable, the Fed faces an uphill battle making informed interest-rate decisions. Bad data risks bad policy, and Wall Street’s patience is wearing thin. Bob says, “If your compass points south half the time, maybe stop sailing toward icebergs.”
Leans: Center-Left – Economic framing assumes government as prime problem-solver.
Housing Is Where the Buck Stops
Rana Foroohar, Financial Times
Housing costs are eating into wages, dampening growth, and driving inequality. Foroohar warns that until affordability improves, broader economic gains will remain out of reach. Bob says, “When your starter home costs more than your starter business, you’re in the wrong market.”
Leans: Center – Balanced economic critique, no heavy partisan spin.
Using a Double Standard on Race To Handicap ICE
Heather Mac Donald, City Journal
Mac Donald argues that racial politics are undermining immigration enforcement, with ICE held to a harsher standard than other agencies. She frames it as a dangerous precedent for equal enforcement under law. Bob says, “If the law’s a speed limit, some folks just got a permanent fast lane.”
Leans: Right – Strong law-and-order perspective with skepticism toward identity politics.
Equity Is a False Idol for Progressives
Will Marshall, The Hill
Marshall critiques the progressive obsession with “equity,” saying it often means lowering standards rather than raising opportunities. He warns it can backfire politically and socially. Bob says, “If fairness means everyone ties for last, maybe stop running the race backwards.”
Leans: Center-Right – Reformist tone but critical of left-wing framing.
Grand Juries Weighing Criminal Charges for James, Schiff
Miranda Devine, NY Post
Reports say grand juries are reviewing potential charges against Letitia James and Adam Schiff, sparking partisan uproar. Critics see accountability; allies call it political payback. Bob says, “We don’t need over 90 felony counts. Just one good honest felony.”
Leans: Right – Pro-accountability framing, skeptical of Democratic figures.
The Solution for DC Residents Is Not DC Statehood
Sen. Mike Lee, X
Lee pushes back on calls for D.C. statehood, arguing constitutional and political reasons to keep it as a federal district. He frames the movement as a partisan power grab. Bob says, “If moving the goalposts wins you the game, maybe the field was never yours.”
Leans: Right – States’ rights framing, skeptical of Democratic motives.
How the Texas Standoff Will (Probably) End
Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic
With tensions high in Texas over immigration enforcement, Godfrey predicts a messy compromise between state and federal authorities. Both sides want to claim victory while avoiding escalation. Bob says, “If both teams run for the locker room before halftime, don’t call it a win.”
Leans: Center-Left – Focuses on negotiation, subtly frames state actions as overreach.
Health Care Failed Women on HRT—And How It’s Being Fixed
Adair Teuton, RCP
Decades of neglect left women struggling with inadequate hormone therapy, but new research and updated guidelines offer hope. Advocates say reform is long overdue. Bob says, “If the manual’s wrong for 30 years, maybe read the label before blaming the machine.”
Leans: Center – Medical reform framed without strong partisan slant.
Transplant Investigations Expose Grisly Stories of Abuse
Mary Vought, USA Today
Shocking revelations show some transplant patients were exploited or neglected, with deadly consequences. Lawmakers are now calling for reforms to oversight and donor protections. Bob says, “When the waiting list becomes a hit list, time to change the bouncer.”
Leans: Center – Human rights framing, bipartisan outrage.
Remembering Morton Mintz (1922–2025)
Ralph Nader, The Nation
Nader honors investigative journalist Morton Mintz, who exposed corporate and governmental wrongdoing for decades. His legacy is a reminder of journalism’s watchdog role. Bob says, “When the watchdog barks at every thief, you don’t ask his politics.”
Leans: Left – Tribute from a progressive icon, but broadly respectful.
Warning: There's a Lot of Manufactured Anger Out There
Frank Luntz, CNN
Luntz warns that political consultants and media figures are fanning outrage for clicks and votes. The result: a public addicted to fury and blind to solutions. Bob says, “If you’re mad every day, maybe you’ve been subscribed without consent.”
Leans: Center – Nonpartisan critique of outrage culture.
Quiet Revolt Against DEI
Daniel Idfresne, RealClearPolitics
Idfresne notes growing backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, with some institutions quietly scaling them back. The shift is subtle but accelerating. Bob says, “When the parade turns into a conga line for the exits, maybe the music changed.”
Leans: Right – Skeptical of DEI orthodoxy, supportive of rollback.
Why Won't the Economy Listen to the Models?
Cass & Wong, Commonplace
Economic forecasts keep missing the mark, suggesting reality is outpacing academic theory. The authors call for humility and adaptability in economic thinking. Bob says, “If the map’s wrong, stop blaming the terrain.”
Leans: Center – Critiques economists across the spectrum.
I'm Joining ICE—And So Should Many Patriotic Americans
Dean Cain, RCP/SiriusXM
Cain announces he’s joining ICE to help enforce immigration law and urges others to do the same. He frames it as a patriotic duty to uphold national sovereignty. Bob says, “If Superman needs a badge, maybe the fortress of solitude has a southern border.”
Leans: Right – Strong pro-enforcement stance on immigration.
Read complete stories at RealClearPolitics.com.