PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
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‘Unprecedented Risk’ to Life on Earth: Scientists’ Dire Warning on Microbe Research (Maria)
The author writes, “World-leading scientists have called for a halt on research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life on Earth. The international group of Nobel laureates and other experts warn that mirror bacteria, constructed from mirror images of molecules found in nature, could become established in the environment and slip past the immune defences of natural organisms, putting humans, animals and plants at risk of lethal infections. … A new risk assessment raised such serious concerns about the organisms that the 38-strong group urged scientists to stop work towards the goal and asked funders to make clear they will no longer support the research.”
A Court Called Out Clarence Thomas’ Gun Extremism. He Didn’t Take It Well. (DonkeyHotey)
From Slate: “Last February, the Hawaii Supreme Court dared to call out the U.S. Supreme Court’s Second Amendment jurisprudence for what it is: unworkable law built on bogus history and pro-gun fanaticism. It now appears the critique has gotten under some justices’ skin. In an opinion on Monday, Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Samuel Alito, railed against the Hawaii Supreme Court’s top-to-bottom evisceration of his own gun-rights opinions. But Thomas and Alito protest too much: Their grousing is pure projection, accusing the Hawaii Supreme Court of committing the same sins at the heart of their own Second Amendment rulings. Given an opening to defend their Second Amendment views, the conservative justices whiffed — and, in their anger, fabricated a new rule that would make it even easier for law-breaking citizens to challenge gun regulations. It has never been more apparent that, as the Hawaii Supreme Court charged, SCOTUS’s gun enthusiasts are making it up as they go along.”
Dozens of Democrats Press Biden to Pardon Environmental Lawyer Targeted by Chevron (Dana)
From Zeteo: “Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to pardon Steven Donziger, an environmental lawyer who led a $9.5 billion legal case against Chevron for its responsibility in the dumping of oil waste en masse in Ecuador, in what became known as the ‘Amazon Chernobyl.’”
The White House Gave Israel Coordinates to Save an American’s Family. Then Israel Bombed Them Again. (Laura)
The author writes, “The Alsayed brothers lost their mother in the first bombing. They thought the White House could help save the survivors.”
Why is America ‘Trumpomuskovia’? (Gerry)
The author writes, “Trumpomuskovia is a word I introduced in an essay about some historical moments that might help us to understand the coming reality. Some of you asked why. Here are five reasons.”
The Way of Moral Reform (Al)
From The Dispatch: “Known as one of the most prescient observers of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville was also keenly interested in the country’s potential devolution into tyranny. In his magnum opus Democracy in America, the 19th-century French diplomat made an important proposition: The best defense against tyranny could be found ‘in the circumstances and the manners of the country more than in its laws.’ By ‘manners’ Tocqueville did not just mean social politeness, but rather the ‘whole moral and intellectual’ attitude of the country embodied in public practice. He had in mind, in other words, virtue.”
Harris Found Success With Women Who Have Cats, but Trump Got the Dog Owner Vote (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates.”
