Maslow's Hierarchies of Matters - May 2025

I skipped April because I got a new job.  But now we're back!

So what are the MAIN things that matter going into May? What is, and isn't, worth our valuable attention?

Major: Very important, will be impactful.

The Trump administration ignoring court orders is a big deal.  Separation of powers only works if each branch of government respects the power of the other two.

Impact of tarrifs will make things more expensive and scarcer, which makes things more expensive, which makes money scarcer, etc.

Appreciable: Good context to keep in mind, but don't sweat the details.

Trump securing a mineral deal from between US and Ukraine would seem to give him an incentive to help Ukraine more (since the deal only works if they maintain control of the territory).  That Trump posts things like "Vladimir, STOP!" on social media, to no effect, makes the US look pretty fucking pathetic.

Incidental: Good to know, but of limited use beyond its own topic.

Nothing this month

Negligible: Ignore this as much as possible.

Undocumented immigrants being deported and taking their US citizen children with them I don't think is as big a deal as it sounds.  I think it's incorrect to say these children were deported - the parents wanted their children to go with them and that is their decision as a parent.  I don't think it would be better for the children to be left behind.  Family separation is bad.

Given the administration opposes birthright citizenship, it's all of a piece.  These are sad and terrible stories but, as I said, "There will be terrible stories about otherwise innocent undocumented immigrants and their families, but those experiences won't be the norm."  

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Disagree with something I've said? Did I miss a news story you'd like to see categorized? Feel free to let me know in the comments!


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