The country is a beacon of Enlightenment – a world leader in democratic, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth

Op-ed by Joseph Stiglitz @ TheGuardian.com/Project Syneicate economists, May 9

Summary paragraph: 

Alvarado, who is just 38, is attempting to create a new presidential model for Costa Rica, without changing the constitution, by drawing ministers from a range of parties. One hopes that the spirit of cooperation fostered by the cooperative movement, and ingrained in so much of Costa Rican culture, will make it work. If it does, Costa Rica, despite its small size, will be a beacon of hope for the future, showing that another world is possible, one where Enlightenment values – reason, rational discourse, science, and freedom – flourish, to the benefit of all.

More here:

https://www.emptywheel.net/2018/05/09/gina-haspels-fluid-moral-compass/

....West calls his struggle the right to be a “free thinker,” and he is, indeed, championing a kind of freedom—a white freedom, freedom without consequence, freedom without criticism, freedom to be proud and ignorant; freedom to profit off a people in one moment and abandon them in the next; a Stand Your Ground freedom, freedom without responsibility, without hard memory; a Monticello without slavery, a Confederate freedom, the freedom of John C. Calhoun, not the freedom of Harriet Tubman, which calls you to risk your own; not the freedom of Nat Turner, which calls you to give even more, but a conqueror’s freedom, freedom of the strong built on antipathy or indifference to the weak, the freedom of rape buttons, pussy grabbers...

Guest op-ed by Chris Feliciano Arnold @ NYTimes.com, May 8

RORAIMA, Brazil — For thousands of Venezuelan refugees in Brazil, the road to relief runs through an isolated state where ranchers, miners and traffickers exploit desperate migrants in conditions akin to slavery. Brazilian officials who look the other way can make no claim to be battling corruption and impunity.

Since 2017, the political crisis, the humanitarian crisis and hyperinflation in Venezuela have spurred an exodus of historic proportions. More than four million Venezuelans have fled the country, seeking relief from food and medicine shortages under the oppressive rule of Nicolás Maduro. For the Venezuelans escaping to Brazil — more than 50,000 so far — there is usually only one way in: the BR-174 highway, a desolate, 600-mile road that cuts through some of the most remote territory in South America, where profiteers trump the rule of law.

During a pivotal election season, the chaos in the borderlands mirrors turmoil nationwide. After years of economic malaise, corruption investigations and security breakdowns, many Brazilians crave stability, law and order. Welcoming thousands of Venezuelans checks none of those boxes [.....]

This theory is completely speculative, but the story does sound much more plausible than what has been reported about Broidy's alleged affair with Playboy playmate Shera Bechard. If it was actually Trump's affair, this will be an even bigger bombshell than Stormy Daniels for several reasons: significantly more money + clear campaign violation by Broidy + abortion.

Sharing because I enjoyed some of Meyers' insights about the Trump brain and the Trump lack of sense of humor from his dealings with him before he was president.

By Edward Isaac-Dovere @ Politico Magazine, May 8

Four years after the ‘Late Night’ host torched Trump at the WHCD, he says Michael Cohen was sent to negotiate Trump’s appearance on his show—with one big demand

New kinda American Family Values. Let's put border crossers in jail awaiting trial and their children in HHR orphanages!....

By Ted Hessen @ Politico.com, May 7

The Trump administration will more frequently separate families at the southwest border under a new policy to be announced Monday, a DHS official told POLITICO.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen signed a memo Friday that directs the department to refer all suspected border-crossers to the Justice Department for prosecution under a federal statute that prohibits illegal entry, according to the official [....]

Sessions announced the policy Monday at a law enforcement conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., according to the Justice Department. He said it will result in the referral of “100 percent of illegal southwest border crossings“ to the DOJ for prosecution.

“If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law,” the attorney general said in prepared remarks. “If you don’t like that, then don’t smuggle children over our border.“ [....]

By Katie Zezima @ WashingtonPost.com, May 7

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, a central figure of the Iran-contra affair in the 1980s, has been named president of the National Rifle Association. The NRA’s board of directors chose North to be the organization’s president Monday morning, after NRA president Pete Brownell decided not to seek a second term.

“This is the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston became President of our Association,” said NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre. “Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our President." [....]