Lawrence O’Donnell Mocks Trump Getting ‘Humiliated’ Without Realizing It

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/lawrence-odonnell-mocks-trump-getting-humiliated-without-realizing-it/

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell pinpointed the exact moment Mark Carney “humiliated” Donald Trump at the Oval Office—and said the president was “too stupid” to notice.

The new Canadian prime minister met with Trump on Tuesday and inflicted what O’Donnell referred to as a “steady stream of humiliation” on a president who “is clearly off his game.”

According to O’Donnell, throughout the course of the two men’s conversation, Trump utterly failed to make any progress on a trade deal, was told “no” to his face when repeating his oft-stated desire to make Canada the 51st state, and appeared confused and out of his depth when talking specifics with the Canadian PM.

Trump’s Worst Idea Since Tariffs

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/republicans-drug-prices-most-favored-nation-donald-trump-medicaid-7b48dbcd?mod=hp_opin_pos_1

The President is pitching a plan to outdo Democrats on drug price controls.

Trump officials are pitching Republicans on a “most-favored nation” drug-pricing regime for Medicaid. While the details are hazy, the idea is for Medicaid to pay drug makers the lowest price charged by other developed countries. Mr. Trump proposed a similar scheme for Medicare Part B drugs at the end of his first term, and it was a bad idea then too.

Israel the loser from US-Houthi truce

 https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-the-loser-from-us-houthi-truce-1001509685

The surprise in Israel at US President Donald Trump’s decision to reach a truce with the Houthi rebels in Yemen represents a predictable diplomatic failure. There is no disputing the fact that this US administration contains some extremely pro-Israel figures, but there is also no disputing the fact that the basis of their policy is putting the US first.

Trump, for his part, is not concerned about either Egypt or Israel. He seeks to serve US interests. The US is Israel’s best friend, but it doesn’t owe Israel anything. The US president released consignments of armaments that his predecessor Joe Biden blocked both because it served a close friend, Israel, and because it meant revenue for the US defense industry.

Next week, Trump will make a first visit to the Middle East, but, as currently planned, his tour will omit Israel. Its first stop will be Saudi Arabia, the US defense industry’s largest customer, accounting for 12% of all US arms exports between 2020 and 2024. He will also visit the UAE and Qatar. Israelis love to hate Qatar, to a large extent rightly, but Qatar hosts the important US military base at Al Udeid.

That outlook raises concerns about US military aid to Israel. Just as Israel has been complacent about US perception of the Iranian and Houthi threats, it is taking its time over negotiations on renewal of the agreement on US aid. The current memorandum, which came into force in 2019, expires in 2028, and a comparison with the negotiations on that agreement, which was signed in 2016, shows that Israel is currently behind schedule. As mentioned, the US doesn’t owe Israel anything, and if the current passive approach continues, in 2029, for the first time in 30 years, Israel could find itself with no guaranteed US military aid.

Bipartisan Group of Former Judges Blasts Trump's 'Assault' on the Judiciary

 https://www.newsweek.com/bipartisan-former-judges-trump-judiciary-attacks-2068331

A bipartisan group of former state and federal judges sent a scathing letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi this week criticizing President Donald Trump and his administration for their "assault" on the judiciary.

Monday's letter zeroed in on Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest at her courthouse, calling it "yet another attempt to intimidate and threaten the judiciary after a series of rulings by judges appointed by presidents of both parties holding the Trump Administration accountable for its countless violations of the Constitution and laws of the United States."

The letter was signed by more than 150 former Democratic- and Republican-appointed judges and also singled out Bondi for calling judges "deranged," saying the Trump administration is "sending a very strong message" and that "we will come after you and we will prosecute you."

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts Sends New Message to Trump

 https://www.newsweek.com/supreme-court-chief-justice-roberts-sends-new-message-trump-2069405

During Wednesday night's event, Roberts spoke about the Constitution and the important role of the court: "In our Constitution ... the judiciary is a coequal branch of government, separate from the others, with the authority to interpret the Constitution as law and strike down, obviously, acts of Congress or acts of the president," NBC News reports.

Jeffrey Toobin, former federal prosecutor, on CNN Wednesday night, in part: "Well, I think it's quite clear that this is aimed at not just the president but the entire administration, which has indicated that they regard a lot of court orders as advisory rather than binding."

Toobin added, "I don't think he [Roberts] disagrees with the president a lot on the substance, he just wants the courts respected in a way that this administration simply has not done."

Listening to Music

 https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Listening_to_Music

Halichot Shlomo (pg 412) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman who permits listening to music that doesn’t lead to (or accompany) dancing (whether it’s sung or played by an instrument). For example, classical music would fall into this category. It’s proper not to listen to such music during the three weeks as a sign of mourning. Similarly, Rabbi Shlomo Dechovsky (Techumin, Vol 21 pg 67) quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as permitting listening to classical music as one works because it’s unrelated to dancing (the primary prohibition of simcha is dancing, as in Magen Avraham 551:10). Others including: Rabbi Yosef B. Soloveitchik (quoted in RJJ Journal vol 14 pg 34) and Aseh Lecha Rav (3 pg 16) agree. Lastly, Peninei Halacha (pg 145) permits songs that don’t lead to or involve simcha and, all the more so, sad songs. [Sh”t Shelat Shlomo 7:60 says that classical music should depend on the dispute between Rashi and Rambam.]

Music prohibited

Igros Moshe, (OC I #166) Question What is the prohibition of listening to music because of the destruction of the Temple? Answer It seems from the gemora (Gitten 7) that there is no distinction between instrumental music  and voice.  Rashi says the prohibition is at a feast. This is also the view of Tosfos as well as the Mishna in Sotah(48)

. ובימי ספירה יש לאסור בזמרא דמנא אף להמתירין.

Lawyers scramble to stop deportation flight to Libya they say ‘blatantly’ defies court order

 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/07/trump-libya-deportation-flight-00333968

The Trump administration is on the verge of “blatantly” defying a court order by deporting immigrants from Asia to the war-torn African nation of Libya, attorneys for the immigrants said Wednesday.

Citing “alarming reports” in the media and accounts from some of their clients, the lawyers filed an emergency motion seeking to block a military flight that appeared to be on the verge of taking off from the U.S.

US official: If Israel doesn't wake up, US will advance Saudi deal without it - report

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-853066

The official said that Trump is growing frustrated with Israel’s approach and that he intends to push on with a deal, regardless of Israel's position.

US-Houthi ceasefire deal does not include Israel, says Houthi spokesperson

 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-853011

A ceasefire deal between the Houthis and the US does not include sparing Israel, the group said on Wednesday, suggesting its shipping attacks that have disrupted global trade and challenged world powers will not come to a complete halt.

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the US would stop bombing the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, saying that the group had agreed to stop attacking US ships.

After Trump made the announcement, Oman said it had mediated the ceasefire deal to halt attacks on US vessels.

Stop worrying, America. Just keep watching The Trump Show

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/07/business/trump-trade-deal-reality-show-nightcap

This is all part of the show Trump and his advisers have been putting on over the past month. Trust us, deals are coming. Trust us, this economic pain is for your own good. Trust us, your kids don’t need as many toys as you think they do. Trust us (a bunch of ex-bankers and one bankrupt casino mogul), Wall Street’s opinion doesn’t matter.

The reality is that the US and Canada have had a mutually beneficial trade relationship for decades. The reality is that our trade deficit with Canada is relatively tiny. The reality is that the US auto industry Trump claims to support depends deeply on free cross-border trade with Canada and Mexico.

That’s the same reality in which the US economy is contracting and America’s credibility as the cornerstone of global finance is being shaken.

It is not the same reality as the TV show variety Trump seems to live in.

Rabbi Eliyahu Godlevsky named as father who sexually assaulted his daughters

 https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-852550

Rabbi Eliyahu Godlevsky was named as the father who was convicted of sexually assaulting three of his daughters in July, after the Tel Aviv District Court agreed to the daughters’ request and lifted the gag order on the case on Sunday.

He was charged on April 9, 2024, and convicted on July 11 of that year to 10 years in prison, probation, and compensation to the victims. The daughters, who submitted the request to lift the gag order, did so through the legal aid office within the Justice Ministry, which is representing the three sisters in the criminal case against their father.

“I am happy to finally be able to breathe again,” one of the daughters said. “At last, the shame has shifted sides – and we no longer have to hide behind shame and guilt that do not belong to us.”

Risking life with treatment which might prolong life

Igros Moshe (Choshen Mishpat II #74.5) Question Is it permitted or obligated to risk dying in order to possibly live longer(Avoda Zara (27b)?  Answer I have previously written (Igros Moshe YD III #36) that this is merely permitted in a situation which is 50-50. However if the doctor has determined that this treatment is beneficial than it becomes obligatory. Nontheless if this an operation on internal organs in a delicate location and thus there are major differences between doctors in the success rate it is important to utilize only the best doctors. In an emergency situation one can rely on any highly competent doctor or lacking even that on any doctor as long as it is reasonably certain he won’t make it worse. . If the patient decides on his own that he wants the procedure  because he feels it will be beneficial even though  he says he knows it might make things worse than if he can not be discouraged it should be permitted to prevent him from deteriorating. But if it is clear that it would be harmful it is prohibited. This matter requires careful deliberation of the doctors and patient. However if the patient  doesn’t want to place himself in danger even if it might be beneficial  he is clearly not obligated unless most people benefit and live from the treatment than he is obligated. If the majority are not cured by this treatment but they don’t get worse it is possible he is still obligated. However it is difficult to rely on the doctors in this circumstance  and thus the wishes of the patient and family if they want ir it is permissible and if not he is not obligated.  If they can not afford the procedure than it is appropriate to ask for donations. If the patient is a child or an adult who can nhot decide, the parents or family can decide for him. If there is no family then the city beis din decides. In a situation where the patient refuses treatment it is might sometimes be permissible to force him to take the treatment even if it requires tying him up.  In conclusion if the doctors decide that the treatment is needed and beneficial then it is obligatory for the patient.  

Igros Moshe (YD III #36) Question Is it permitted or obligated to risk dying in order to possibly live longer(Avoda Zara (27b) A patient has holes in his heart which the doctors say is life threatening. And he will die in a short time. They want to plug the holes with plastic and the doctors say if the operation is successful he will live another  15 years or it might kill him?Answer  There is no distinction made of a life expectancy of a day or two vs months. In fact an expectancy of up to a year is treated the same for permision. The reason is that expectancy of more than 12 months is viewed as a long time and one can not rely on the evaluation of doctors that the treatment will at best work more than a year. If the doctors say even with treatment he won’t live a year and might die faster because of the treatment it is not permitted

Igros Moshe (YD III #36) Question: Is the patient obligated to risk death with treatment because of the possibility of a normal life expectancy? Answer He is allowed but not obligated. Even though this is not stated in Shulchan Aruch, if most cases result in added life it is reasonable that it is obligatory.If the odds are only 50/50 it is reasonable that it is not obligatory. 

Risking life with treatment which might prolong life

 Igros Moshe (Choshen Mishpat II #74.5) Question Is it permitted or obligated to risk dying in order to possibly live longer(Avoda Zara (27b)?  Answer I have previously written (Igros Moshe YD III #36) that this is merely permitted in a situation which is 50-50. However if the doctor has determined that this treatment is beneficial than it becomes obligatory. Nontheless if this an operation on internal organs in a delicate location and thus there are major differences between doctors in the success rate it is important to utilize only the best doctors. In an emergency situation one can rely on any highly competent doctor or lacking even that on any doctor as long as it is reasonably certain he won’t make it worse. . If the patient decides on his own that he wants the procedure  because he feels it will be beneficial even though  he says he knows it might make things worse than if he can not be discouraged it should be permitted to prevent him from deteriorating. But if it is clear that it would be harmful it is prohibited. This matter requires careful deliberation of the doctors and patient. However if the patient  doesn’t want to place himself in danger even if it might be beneficial  he is clearly not obligated unless most people benefit and live from the treatment than he is obligated. If the majority are not cured by this treatment but they don’t get worse it is possible he is still obligated. However it is difficult to rely on the doctors in this circumstance  and thus the wishes of the patient and family if they want ir it is permissible and if not he is not obligated.  If they can not afford the procedure than it is appropriate to ask for donations. If the patient is a child or an adult who can nhot decide, the parents or family can decide for him. If there is no family then the city beis din decides. In a situation where the patient refuses treatment it is might sometimes be permissible to force him to take the treatment even if it requires tying him up.  In conclusion if the doctors decide that the treatment is needed and beneficial then it is obligatory for the patient.