Will America ever learn from its mistakes?
Weekend reads for March 14, 2026
Happy Saturday, Ink Readers!
It’s been yet another chaotic week: expanding war in the Middle East, a Secretary of Defense set on making war crimes government policy, and new evidence of the overwhelming scale of this administration’s corruption emerging nearly every day. This weekend, we’d bet you’re hoping for some rest and relaxation, a few nice surprises at the Oscars, and a little time to catch up on everything you’ve missed. We’re hoping you’ll do a little reading with us, as we delve further into the inner workings of our world, with some great readings on how and why we got here, the goals of our aspiring machine overlords, living with rattlesnakes and other prickly neighbors, and much more.
Among the questions we’ll explore in today’s Weekend Reads:
How did a bunch of MAGA misfits nearly overturn an election?
Why are we doing regime change again — when we’re so bad at it?
Are the most divorced guys of all time destroying America?
What can we learn from our slithery, venomous neighbors?
What happens when a postmodern president goes to war?
Will you find yourself working for an A.I.?
Everyone says otherwise — but is this just who we are?
And music, as always — this week, from a generation-spanning Dutch jazz trio
We do what we do at The Ink to help you understand these times. If this community keeps you sane, join us today. It’s your support that makes this happen.
Inside the plot to steal an election
How did this man wind up the keynote speaker at a brunch for the assembled “border security” and military wing of Project 2025, to whom he urged the invocation of the Insurrection Act to deploy the military on domestic soil? CRN and New Times sent questions to the White House Office of Management and Budget about Clark’s brunch guidance and involvement with the workgroup. OMB spokesperson Rachel Cauley responded only: “Please use this on record from me: ‘The Phoenix New Times is a communist rag that no one reads.’” [Phoenix New Times]