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How Big Tech Is Creating Its Own Media Bubble To ‘Win The Narrative Battle Online’ (Maria)

The author writes, “At a time when the majority of Americans distrust big tech and believe artificial intelligence will harm society, Silicon Valley has built its own network of alternative media where CEOs, founders and investors are unchallenged and beloved stars. What was once the province of a few podcasters has grown into a fully fledged ecosystem of publications and shows.”

Trump’s Crony Diplomacy (Sean)

From Project Syndicate: “Under President Donald Trump, entrusting inexperienced loyalists to handle issues of national and global concern has become the norm, and personal enrichment the through line of US foreign policy. The result is the Ukraine ‘peace deal’ Trump’s cronies cooked up.”

Locals Say National Guard Shooter Was Imprisoned in Afghanistan After ‘Zero Unit’ Killings (Gerry)

From Drop Site News: “Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was arrested for shooting two National Guard soldiers last week in D.C., was briefly imprisoned in Afghanistan alongside other members of his Zero Unit team, according to five Afghan sources. The detention by local government forces came after Zero Units killed Afghan police forces in Kandahar they were supposed to be defending. Notwithstanding their arrests, there were no long-term consequences for the Zero Units; the Afghan state had no authority over them and the Americans shielded them. During his few days in prison, which Lakanwal and his comrades had to face after the incident in Kandahar, they still received their pay from the CIA, sources said.”

A Case That Lets Billionaires Spend Big on Elections Never Reached Supreme Court (Russ)

The author writes, “The intense focus on Citizens United has obscured a less-recognized campaign finance case, one that never made it to the Supreme Court. SpeechNow.org v. FEC actually paved the way for the super PACs frequently used by billionaires like Musk for election-year spending sprees. While Citizens United abolished the ban on independent expenditures by corporations and unions, SpeechNow went one step further. It erased limits on contributions to political committees that make independent expenditures and don’t give money directly to candidates or parties. These entities took on the catchier name of super PACs.”

AIA Members Believe James MCcrery, Trump’s White House Ballroom Architect, May Have Violated the AIA’s Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (Dana)

From The Architect’s Newspaper: “A letter dated November 21 has been sent by 13 AIA members to James McCrery, of McCrery Architects. It states ‘some concerns about [his] involvement with the destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the impending design of the New Ballroom to replace the East Wing.’”

Trucks Move the Country’s Goods Through This County. As Even More Loom, People Are Pushing Back. (Laura)

The author writes, “Illinois’ Will County has North America’s largest inland intermodal transport hub. Residents worry about more traffic and pollution from a huge new warehouse complex.”

Southern California Man Gets an Unwanted Housemate: A Black Bear in His Crawl Space (Reader Steve)

The author writes, “Ken Johnson, 63, just got a new roommate last week — a black bear living in the crawl space under his home in Southern California. The bear was seen on video footage clambering out from beneath his house Tuesday. He had installed a camera near the space back in June when he saw what looked like damage caused by an animal. Nothing showed up on the camera until last week. And now he’s trying to figure out how to make it leave.”