Opinion Today: Free speech, Trump’s legal woes and Ramy Youssef on ‘S.N.L.’

Highlights from The Point, Times Opinion's blog.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story April 5, 2024 By Anna Marks Staff Editor In today's newsletter, we're offering some of our favorite entries from The Point, Times Opinion's blog. Our writers told you what they think about a new law restricting speech in Scotland, Jack Smith's frustration in a Trump trial, and Ramy Youssef's "Saturday Night Live" monologue. Check them out below. READ THE POINT Lydia Polgreen on Ramy Youssef → Ross Douthat on speech in Scotland → Jesse Wegman on Jack Smith's frustration → Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks Graeme Sloan/Sipa, via Associated Press Lydia Polgreen Three Democratic Senators Are Stuck Indulging an Outdated Fantasy Why Is Adeel Mangi's confirmation still in jeopardy? By Lydia Polgreen Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT More From Opinion Paul Krugman Why Some Billionaires Will Back Trump It's about taxes — and a false belief in their own impunity. By Paul Krugman David Brooks Why Is Technology Mean to Me? I want my technology to have many capacities, but free will is not among them. By David Brooks Guest Essay Our Mom Is 75. We're Moving Heaven and Earth for This Eclipse. A total eclipse is worth moving heaven and earth to experience. By Kathleen Lenihan and Maureen Lenihan Rust Guest Essay Is This the End of Academic Freedom? Silencing pro-Palestinian speech and action sets a dangerous precedent. By Paula Chakravartty and Vasuki Nesiah Guest Essay Earth to NASA: You Could Use Some Philosophers Up There STEM can't solve all our problems. By Joseph O. Chapa Guest Essay The Rage in 'Carrie' Feels More Relevant Than Ever Stephen King's debut novel, about a bullied girl who gets revenge, used to horrify me. Now I find Carrie's story inspiring. By Amanda Jayatissa The Ezra Klein Show Will A.I. Break the Internet? Or Save It? Nilay Patel discusses the near-future of an internet as A.I.-generated content improves. 1 HR 25 MIN LISTEN Matter of Opinion Are Smartphones Just a Scapegoat for Our Unhappy Children? Why ditching phones won't save the kids. 38 MIN LISTEN Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT David French Don't Let Our Broken Politics Mangle Our Faith When I think of "Christian Visibility Day," I have very different images in mind. By David French John McWhorter 'Little Women' and the Art of Breaking Grammatical Rules In an evolving language, it ain't always clear — or important — what's correct. By John McWhorter letters Al Franken's Memories of Christopher Durang The comedian and former senator writes about the late playwright. It's Not Surprising That No Labels Could Never Find a Candidate Some politicians may have believed the group could do too well at the polls at a chaotic time. By Katherine Miller Will Israel Finally Listen to Biden? It's not clear that Netanyahu will take Biden's threats seriously. By Nicholas Kristof What Teachers Have to Say About the Great American Teacher Crisis They are deeply unhappy with nearly every aspect of their jobs. By Jessica Grose Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images letters Amid Tragedy, Anguished Pleas for Gaza Responses to an Opinion essay by José Andrés and news articles. Also: New York City's mental health shelters; the eclipse; Donald Trump and the Bible. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018