The Lonely Liberal

Week of Oct 26: Graham Platner, Nuke Testing, War with Venezeula?


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In this week’s roundup, we unpack a wild mix of policy moves and political shockwaves: RFK Jr. wades into the Tylenol–autism debate, the White House signals a restart of U.S. nuclear testing, and Washington flirts with letting South Korea build a nuclear-powered submarine. We also break down a rare-earths “trade truce” with China that comes with a fentanyl-related tariff cut, a first-ever White House visit from Syria’s president on the calendar, New Mexico’s leap to universal free child care, the Fed’s latest rate cut, saber-rattling toward Venezuela, and a Maine Senate race thrown off course by old Reddit posts. Quick, clear, and no fluff—here’s what actually matters and why.

Topics Covered

  • RFK Jr. says there isn’t enough evidence to prove Tylenol causes autism—and why the distinction between correlation and causation matters for public health messaging.

  • Trump announces a restart of U.S. nuclear weapons testing—what that means technically, legally, and geopolitically.

  • U.S. may share naval nuclear-propulsion know-how with South Korea—how this changes the regional balance and non-proliferation debate.

  • U.S.–China rare-earths détente—tariffs on fentanyl-related goods trimmed to 10% and what it means for supply chains, EVs, and defense.

  • A first: Syria’s President slated for a White House visit—potential goals, risks, and Middle East implications.

  • New Mexico launches universal free child care—how the model works and the economic upside for families and the workforce.

  • The Fed cuts rates—what it signals about inflation, jobs, and the path ahead.

  • Venezuela brinkmanship—what “threats of war” actually translate to in policy terms and what Congress might do.

  • Maine Senate race drama—how a candidate’s old Reddit posts and tattoo controversy scrambled the narrative.

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    The Lonely LiberalBy Nick Zenkin