Sick, Corrupt, and At War

8.31.26

Happy Monday and welcome back to Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Let’s break down the latest news.

Trump Threatens Further Strikes as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates…Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are heating up again after both sides exchanged fire for the first time in weeks. U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz after reportedly detecting preparations to deploy sea mines. Iran responded by launching missiles at U.S. bases in Jordan and drones toward a U.S. air base in the UAE. Trump then warned that the U.S. would “hit them hard,” raising fears of another major escalation. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint: before the war, roughly 20% of the world’s oil passed through the waterway, and the ongoing blockade has already sent energy prices soaring. Trump also appeared to threaten an attack on Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil exports.

Common Sense Takeaway: What are we doing here??? This is absurd and scary! More Americans are going to die because of his recklessness. There is no outcome of this war that will make any of this worth it. In fact, we are still in a worse position than when we started. At this rate, the war will only end when the next president, hopefully a Democrat, decides to end it.

Kalshi Bans George Santos Over Alleged Illegal Trades…Kalshi has permanently banned former Rep. George Santos from its prediction market platform after he failed to cooperate with an investigation into trades he made surrounding his attendance at the 2026 State of the Union. Kalshi says Santos made nearly $18,000 in profits from the trades and has also penalized him $71,356. The ban comes after Santos agreed in July to pay $35,000 to settle a separate federal investigation, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission imposed a three-year trading ban.

Common Sense Takeaway: Once a fraudster, always a fraudster. I still can’t believe this man served in Congress. That’s how bad things have gotten. Regardless, George should be nowhere near a gambling market or really anything requiring someone to act honestly. He should actually still be in jail serving his 87-month sentence, but Trump pardoned his sorry ass after 3 months—because of course he did.

Measles Controversy Grows After Amish Family Speaks Out….A new report from The Atlantic tells the story of an Amish couple, “John and Anna,” in Lancaster County who lost their newborn son Aug. 14 after the mother and several of their other children contracted measles. The mother was unvaccinated and severely ill with a high fever and dehydration in the days before giving birth. The family believes measles played a role in their son’s death—but the Lancaster County coroner says the newborn died from a lacerated spleen and that measles was ruled out as a contributing factor by a forensic pathologist. “John is vaccinated, the story says, and Anna is not, nor are their children. The couple said that there is no real anti-vaccination sentiment between them, and Anna wasn't sure why her mother didn't vaccinate her. Their children were unvaccinated because they simply didn't think of it,” the Atlantic said.

Common Sense Takeaway: This is just sad and needless. The Amish community needs outreach from the government that is pro-vax. The father reported that a man named “Kennedy” had called him and left a voicemail, but he didn’t respond. He didn’t know who RFK Jr. was. I’m not sure how that’s possible in this day and age, but it is—and we need to find a way to reach these people.

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back tomorrow for more.