Category: Update

Veronique de Rugy, at Reason, asks a good question: who will pay for the war? Or, how will it be paid for?

The Pentagon has requested $200 billion to fund the campaign. While circumstances could change the price tag, interest payments on that much debt would add $87 billion over 10 years. So that’s roughly $300 billion.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asked about this number, offered a memorable contribution to the fiscal debate: “Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys.” That’s true. It’s also true that the money must come from somewhere.

Veronique de Rugy, “How Will Congress Fund a $300 Billion War With Iran?,” Reason (March 26, 2026).

De Rugy mentions two obvious tax-and-spend choices, a supplemental appropriations bill and a budget reconciliation bill. But she goes on to make an interesting point:

Congress used to offset its emergency spending. It doesn’t anymore. Research by Dominik Lett at the Cato Institute shows that since 1991, Congress has passed $12.5 trillion in emergency spending for wars, disasters, pandemics, financial crises, and in some cases things that were emergencies in name only, like $450 million for space exploration. Almost none of it was offset. If you add $2.5 trillion in interest to the spending, the total amounts to one-third of today’s debt.

Which brings to mind a recurring theme at ThisIsCommonSense.org: the federal debt. So here is a current update on the general government’s most obvious but least talked-about (elsewhere) problem:

Note that, as reported here in November, the Congressional Budget Office had predicted hitting the $39 trillion level of debt some time after mid-year. Hey, we are ahead of schedule! Let’s celebrate?

“A Christian politician in Finland has been convicted of a crime for publishing her views on marriage and sexual ethics 22 years ago,” CBN reports.

“The country’s Supreme Court found parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen guilty of ‘hate speech’ for publishing her biblical beliefs. In a 3–2 decision, the court upheld a criminal conviction against Räsänen and a Lutheran bishop for ‘making and keeping available to the public a text that insults a group.’”

She was fined €1,800.

That is about 2,080 in American dollars.

Paul Jacob has discussed the case in the recent past, in a more hopeful vein. That is, in the apparently vain hope that the highest court of “Suomen Tasavalta” (what Finns call their state) would find this mother of five, grandmother of ten, and wife of a Lutheran pastor innocent of the grotesque charges “of crimes against the humanity of gays and lesbians.”

Oh, that cannot be right. That is from the often-unreliable Wikipedia. The formal charge appears to be “incitement against an ethnic group” (kiihottaminen kansanryhmää vastaan) under Section 10 of Chapter 11 of the Finnish Criminal Code.

The country’s hate speech provision.

How do gays and lesbians constitute an ethnic group? Stay tuned for future updates.

It is noteworthy that not all the charges brought against her came to an ultimate guilty verdict.

What stuck in the court’s craw was that she had written that homosexuality is “a developmental disorder.” The reasoning the court went through to see such a statement as “an incitement to hate” has to be fascinating.

This is especially so after the assurances of Prosecutor General Ari-Pekka Koivisto that the case “is significant because the supreme court went through the fundamental rights assessment in detail.”

If your social media feed is burgeoning with radical pinkoist complaints about the madness and malignity of billionaires, maybe it’s worth offsetting with the news of the latest gesture from the billionairist billionaire of them all, Elon Musk:

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the world’s richest ‌person, said on Saturday he would cover the paychecks of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers ‌during their second unpaid work stoppage in six ⁠months amid a protracted federal funding lapse.

The budget impasse over funding for the TSA’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland ​Security, is in its fifth week. Screeners and other TSA personnel are days away ⁠from missing a second full paycheck, but are being pressured to show up as screening times at some airports stretch on for hours.

“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively ‌affecting the ⁠lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” Musk said in a post on ‌his social media platform X.

“Elon Musk Offers to Pay TSA Salaries Amid Budget Battle, Airport Lineups,” Reuters via The Epoch Times (March 21, 2026).

Paul Jacob has been covering the Elon Musk story on this site for years now, and we can be fairly certain that if Paul were called upon to give a statement about this story, he would lament that the generous offer does not include provisions to treat Musk’s payments as severance pay, upon the closing of the TSA:

• TSA Follies Exposed (2014)
• Video: Replace the TSA (2015)
• TSA Abuse (2018)

The current congressional impasse for budgeting the agency is such a good occasion for its closure!

A dramatic moment in the Senate confirmation hearing for Senator Markwayne Mullin’s appointment to head the Department of Homeland Security:

This is a significant update to several ongoing stories, including Paul Jacob’s coverage of Rand Paul and the illegal immigration problem.

The senator from Kentucky charges the nominee with a “sheer lack of self-awareness” when it comes to his own behavior and lack of emotional control . . . while expressing the confidence to lead a department charged with the use force within the borders.

Was the wildest part was when Mullin was challenged for implying he approved the caning of Sen Charles Sumner on the Senate floor on May 22, 1856?

Arguably, this is the clip of the week.

“Tucker Carlson has claimed he is facing potential criminal charges,” explains a Newsweek report,  “stemming from his conversations with people in Iran after U.S. government agencies ‘read my texts.’

Posting on X, the former Fox News host said the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was preparing “a crime report” to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the basis that he was “acting as an agent of a foreign power” by conversing with individuals from Iran. Carlson denied these alleged claims.

”Tucker Carlson Facing ‘Foreign Agent’ Charges, He Says—’They Read My Texts’,” Newsweek (March 15, 2026).

The administration faces increasing pressure to do something about Tucker, but also increasing criticism. When Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, an Israeli trade official, tweeted that “Tucker Carlson should be arrested and tried for treason,” she got blowback, not least from Glenn Greenwald:

Who the f**k are Israelis to dictate that American journalists should be arrested and prosecuted for “treason”?

As always, these Israelis are not alone. They have a horde of loyalists in the US echoing this.

By “treason,” they mean: speaking and reporting critically on Israel.

But Hassan-Nahoum got some X support from Meghan McCain:

Secretly communicating with an enemy of the United States during an active war conflict makes you a traitor in my book.

Full stop.

Clayton Morris, of the Redacted podcast, responded with historical context:

The last time the US declared war was June 1942. There’s no declaration of war. Full stop.

So, for full historical context, note that the last time a U.S. president imprisoned war critics outright was in World War I, when Woodrow Wilson’s war machine

closed down about 75 newspapers and magazines, prevented the distribution of specific issues of many more, and put journalists on trial in federal courts. This entire operation was managed from the landmark Washington building that would become, 100 years later, the Trump International Hotel.

Adam Hochschild, “America’s Top Censor — So Far,” Mother Jones (September-October 2022).

While Donald Trump has said the war in Iran is almost over, we will see how long it drags on. We may also see that, when push comes to shove, the administration will go so far as to imprison its critics, such as Tucker Carlson.

Tucker Carlson’s discussion of the alleged case against him:

“The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut with Iran attacking vessels and its Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowing to keep it blocked,” Roshneesh Kmaneck summarized yesterday, at Firstpost. “This has led to panic about the supply of oil and natural gas. Countries are now scrambling for alternative routes. But experts note that none of the options can replace the oil normally shipped through the critical Gulf chokepoint.”

Roughly 20 percent of global petroleum production is in jeopardy. While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can work around the obstruction using a pipeline, Iraq and Kuwait and other major users of the passage cannot:

Rep. Tim Burchett’s comment, quoted by Paul Jacob on this site yesterday, remains of course completely unaffected by the addition of other countries’ supplies passing through the region. “How much oil does America get from Iran? Zero.” Well, North America gets about 2.5 percent of all of the Hormuz-squeezed oil (not exactly zero, but close). Regardless, the economics of supplies and demands worldwide still contribute to the determination of gas prices in America.

And Burchett remains a bonehead. No update required on that.

Jacinda Adern, former prime minister of New Zealand, no longer lives in New Zealand. She and her family have been traveling. First to America, to teach, and then to Australia. Why?

Some say it’s a long story:

In 2017, Ardern became the world’s youngest-serving female leader, aged 37, and went on to make history as the second woman to give birth while holding elected office.

Over the next six years, her leadership was defined by a series of national and international crises including the Christchurch attack and Covid pandemic. At a time when major western powers were lurching to the right, Ardern’s brand of politics made her a global icon of the left.

Towards the end of her time in office, Ardern’s legacy at home became more complicated, and she faced criticism over her government’s failure to make headway on its promises to fix the housing crisis and meaningfully reduce emissions. As the pandemic wore on, a small but vocal fringe of anti-vaccine and anti-mandate groups emerged, leading to a violent protest on parliament’s lawns and threatening rhetoric directed at Ardern.

Eva Corlett, The Guardian (February 25, 2026).

But it’s not just Adern exiting Kiwi country. Many have moved westward to Australia. Why the flight? The BBC implicitly blames an inexplicably bad economy, in “Jacinda Ardern’s move to Australia renews spotlight on New Zealand’s brain drain problem” (March 2, 2026). That “brain drain” characterization seems, in relation to Adern, perhaps a bit comic.

The New York Times continues in this vein of taking note of a significant trend without considering the obvious: Ms. Adern doesn’t feel welcome in her home country any more because she messed it up so astoundingly. She abused power; acted like a tyrant.

But the Times does mention that Ms. Adern has had a book published — a common reward for stellar service against the interests of the people — called (we kid you not) A Different Kind of Power.

Ms. Adern has appeared in these pages before, usually in relation to COVID. She was a strident covidian.

The perverts, rapists and bullies in Congress showed their true colors this week — and the colors? Neither “red” nor “blue”: instead, full spectrum. That is, very bipartisan:

In a controversial move, 357 members of Congress, including 175 Republicans and 182 Democrats, voted to refer a resolution that would have forced the release of records related to sexual harassment claims against lawmakers to a committee, effectively killing the measure. The resolution, proposed by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC, aimed to direct the House Committee on Ethics to publicly release all records of investigations into members of Congress for sexual harassment, unwelcome sexual advances, and sexual assault. Critics argue this vote is an attempt to cover up misconduct and protect predators in Congress.

“Congress Votes to Keep Sexual Harassment Settlement Records Secret,” National Today (March 6, 2026).

Thomas Massie (R-Tenn.) insists that everyone who voted to “refer” the resolution did so knowing that their voted effectively killed it. He listed the names of the few good guys on X:

Representative Mace was not amused by the weak showing:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 4, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) issued the following statement after both Republicans and Democrats voted to kill her resolution which would have forced the public release of Congressional sexual harassment records.

“Both parties colluded today to protect predators. They voted to keep sexual harassment records buried, and they did it together.

“Every Member who voted against this resolution voted to protect the cover-up instead of the victims.

“This is the establishment in action, always protecting itself, never the victims. Ask yourself why. Remember their names when they ask for your vote.

We don’t want to hear a single Member who voted this resolution down utter the name of a single Epstein victim. You don’t get to bury sexual harassment records in Congress and then pretend you care about victims. Pick a side.

“The victims deserved better. The American people deserved better. Every Member who voted to keep these records buried voted to protect power over people. We won’t let it go and neither should you.”

Office of Congresswoman Nancy Mace (March 4, 2026).

Paul Jacob has written about the protected creeps in Congress, for this is not a new issue by any means.

The woke war on freedom of speech continues in Canada. 

In mid-February 2026, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ruled that Barry Neufeld’s repeated public criticisms of the province’s SOGI 123 program (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity resources used in schools) constituted hate speech and discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people. Mr. Neufeld, a former school board trustee in Chilliwack, British Columbia, was ordered to pay $750,000 in damages to affected teachers in the Chilliwack Teachers’ Association who identify as LGBTQ+ (covering the period from October 2017 to 2022), citing harm to their dignity, feelings, and self-respect.

Neufeld’s comments began around 2017 when British Columbia updated school codes to address bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In various Facebook posts, interviews, and public statements over several years, he described SOGI as a “weapon of propaganda” promoting the “absurd theory” that gender is a social construct rather than biologically determined. He also claimed that allowing children to change gender amounted to “child abuse,” warned that teaching about gender diversity “undermines social order and primes them for abuse,” and invoked stereotypes portraying transgender people as predatory or mentally ill.

Neufeld plans to challenge the ruling, arguing it violates his freedom of expression.

The woke war on speech wokels is not confined to Mr. Neufeld, alas:

Amy Hamm, a nurse in British Columbia, faced a lengthy disciplinary hearing before the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives after complaints about her off-duty online statements between 2018 and 2021. She argued that biological sex is immutable, criticized gender ideology as harmful to women and children (e.g., allowing men into women’s spaces like prisons or sports), and identified herself as a nurse in some posts. A panel found six statements discriminatory and derogatory toward transgender people, ruling they constituted professional misconduct with a sufficient nexus to her profession due to potential harm to patient trust. In March 2025, she was deemed guilty; in August 2025, she was suspended for one month and ordered to pay $93,639.80 in costs to the college. Hamm appealed the decision to the B.C. Supreme Court, arguing it infringed on her freedom of expression, with the penalty stayed pending resolution.

Sandie Peggie, a nurse at NHS Fife, in Scotland, was suspended in 2024 after complaining about sharing a female changing room with Dr. Beth Upton, a transgender doctor (biologically male) who had permission to use it. Peggie expressed discomfort based on her belief that sex is biological and immutable, citing privacy and dignity concerns. She faced an 18-month internal gross misconduct investigation, during which she was barred from work. Cleared of misconduct in July 2025, she sued NHS Fife and Upton for discrimination, harassment, and victimization under the Equality Act 2010. In a December 2025 employment tribunal ruling, her harassment claim against NHS Fife was partially upheld on four grounds (e.g., the board’s failure to revoke Upton’s access temporarily during investigation), criticizing the board’s handling as creating a “hostile” environment. However, claims of direct/indirect discrimination and victimization were dismissed, as were all claims against Upton personally. A remedy hearing is pending, and Peggie plans to appeal the dismissals.

Päivi Räsänen, a Finnish MP and former interior minister, faced multiple hate speech charges for expressing Christian-based views skeptical of gender theory and same-sex relationships. Key statements included a 2019 tweet questioning her church’s support for Pride events (citing Bible verses on gender as binary and divinely created), a 2004 pamphlet arguing homosexuality contradicts “God’s design” for male-female complementarity, and a 2019 radio interview criticizing gender ideology. Prosecutors argued these incited hatred against LGBTQ+ people under Finland’s criminal code. After acquittals in district court (2022) and appeals court (2023), the Supreme Court acquitted her unanimously in 2024, ruling her statements were protected speech not amounting to hate. However, she endured years of investigations, trials, and appeals, describing it as a “chilling” ordeal that tested free expression limits in Europe.

Paul Jacob has written about the Finnish case a couple of times.

The disclosure of the Epstein Files has led to nothing much along the lines of legal consequences in America, while in Europe there have been several arrests, resignations, and investigations tied directly to revelations of ties to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. The list at present:

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (United Kingdom; former royal and Duke of York): Arrested February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to sharing sensitive trade information with Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy; in 2025, stripped of royal titles in response to ongoing Epstein scrutiny.
• Peter Mandelson (United Kingdom; former government minister, European Commissioner, and U.K. Ambassador to the U.S.): Arrested February 23, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office; released on bail pending further investigation; previously dismissed from his ambassadorship in September 2025, resigned from the House of Lords and Labour Party in early February 2026.
• Thorbjørn Jagland (Norway; former Prime Minister, Nobel Committee chair, and Council of Europe Secretary General): Charged with aggravated corruption in mid-February 2026 following home searches linked to Epstein file disclosures; faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.
• Terje Rød-Larsen (Norway; former diplomat, Minister of Administration and Planning, and International Peace Institute president): Under investigation for complicity in gross corruption tied to his Ministry of Foreign Affairs work and Epstein contacts; suspended from duties.
• Mona Juul (Norway; former ambassador to the U.K., Jordan, Iraq, and U.N. Economic and Social Council president; wife of Terje Rød-Larsen): Resigned as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq in early February 2026; under investigation for aggravated corruption.
• Jack Lang (France; former Minister of Culture and Education, president of the Arab World Institute): Resigned as head of the Arab World Institute in early February 2026; under financial investigation related to Epstein ties.
• Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (United Arab Emirates; magnate and chairman/CEO of DP World logistics company): Replaced as chairman and CEO on February 13, 2026, after emails revealed a years-long friendship with Epstein.
• Miroslav Lajčák (Slovakia; former U.N. General Assembly president and national security adviser): Resigned as national security adviser to Prime Minister Robert Fico on January 31, 2026, after photos and emails showed post-conviction meetings with Epstein.
• Joanna Rubinstein (Sweden; chair of Sweden for UNHCR): Resigned in early February 2026 after documents revealed a 2012 visit to Epstein’s private island post-conviction.
• Børge Brende (Norway; former foreign minister and World Economic Forum president): Stepped down as WEF president in early February 2026 following an independent investigation into his Epstein contacts.
• Mohamed Waheed Hassan (Maldives; special envoy to the president): Resigned positions in early February 2026 amid scrutiny over Epstein communications.
• Sarah Ferguson (United Kingdom; former Duchess of York): Forced to shutter her charity, Sarah’s Trust, in early February 2026 due to reputational damage from Epstein associations; effectively resigned from her public role in the organization.
• Morgan McSweeney (United Kingdom; chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer): Resigned in early February 2026 amid fallout from Mandelson’s scandal and broader government scrutiny.
• Tim Allan (United Kingdom; communications director for Prime Minister Keir Starmer): Resigned in early February 2026 as part of the U.K. government’s Epstein-related shakeup.

Take some caution, however: being named in the files does not inherently prove wrongdoing, and of course many individuals have denied illicit involvement. This list focuses on non-U.S. figures who have faced negative reactions to the information, actions like arrests, firings, forced resignations, or criminal charges. Some of these reactions are likely over-reactions. Whatever evil that Jeffrey Epstein was up to, he also was involved in networking with nearly everybody. How many of his “friends” he enticed into sexual activity with girls, or worse, and how many had no clue or just hints, we do not know.