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Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
An 11-Day Middle-earth Fantasy in New Zealand
This is part of Reason's 2025 summer travel issue. Click here to read the rest of the issue. It's little surprise that many libertarians count The Lord of the Rings among their favorite stories. J.R.R. Tolkien's tales of bravery and camaraderie in the face of an evil lust for control have shaped many libertarian world-views. Though many adaptations have been made in the decades since Tolkien published The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, no films brought these beloved books to life as spectacularly as Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies, which owe a great deal of their visual power and emotional resonance to the natural beauty of New Zealand, where much of the trilogy was filmed. Visitors to Aotearoa—the Māori name for New Zealand—can find themselves immersed in a geography that feels magically pulled straight from Tolkien's stories. The North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) is home to a rolling hill country and a rural calm that are perfectly suited for the Shire, most notably in the town of Matamata, where the Hobbiton set still stands (and where you can enjoy a feast fit for 13 dwarves). Geothermal regions echo the eerie beauty of Middle-earth's darker corners, and the lush forests near Wellington provided the setting for the ethereal realm of Rivendell. On the South Island (Te Waipounamu), the landscape opens up to jagged peaks, windswept plains, and glacier-carved valleys that became the backdrop for places like Rohan and Gondor. Whether on foot, horseback, boat, or bus, visitors have many ways to experience this real-life fantasy world surrounding the city of Queenstown. Are you quite ready for another adventure? Gather your fellowship and let this sample itinerary be your guide—but stay flexible. After all, you never know when you might encounter a cave troll or need to find another path into Mordor. Every journey takes some unexpected turns, but as Tolkien reminds us, "Not all who wander are lost." Day 1 Flight to Auckland If you are leaving from America, you will cross the international dateline and lose a calendar day in travel. (If you depart on August 1, you will arrive on August 3.) Stay in Auckland for one night. Day 2 Free day in Auckland You'll arrive in the "city of sails" early in the morning. Spend the day immersing yourself in the local culture or exploring the charming neighborhoods on foot. Optional activities: Auckland city sights tour, ferry to Waiheke Island, Auckland War Memorial Museum Day 3 Self-Drive to Matamata: Hobbiton Pick up your rental and enjoy the 2.5-hour drive through New Zealand's beautiful countryside to the set of Hobbiton in Matamata. Your guided tour will take you through all 12 acres of the Shire, including the famous Hobbit Holes, until you arrive at The Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a complimentary beverage from the famous Hobbit Southfarthing Range. After dark, you'll be treated to a two-course banquet. Self-Drive to Rotorua After dinner, drive one hour to Rotorua, where you will stay for two nights. Day 4 Free day in Rotorua Enjoy some leisure time in "nature's spa of the South Pacific." Optional activities: Scenic gondola ride, Te Puia geothermal park, Polynesian Spa, Stratosfare Restaurant, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day 5 Flight to Wellington Drop off your rental car and catch your morning flight to Wellington for a one-night stay. WĒTĀ Workshop Tour Wētā Workshop is home to an entire team of creative artisans who've helped bring to life films such as Jackson's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Learn about the making of movie effects, from armor to creatures to costumes and makeup to miniatures. Day 6 Free day in Wellington Explore the city's vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and cultural attractions. Optional activities: Wellington cable car, Zealandia wildlife sanctuary Ferry to Picton Take the 3.5-hour evening dinner ferry to Picton for one night. Day 7 Flight to Christchurch Christchurch, where you will spend one night, is a hub for all things nature, culture, and art. Optional activities: Christchurch Art Gallery, Centre of Contemporary Art, Pōhatu Penguins tour, Akaroa dolphin cruise Day 8 Self-Drive to Queenstown via Mount Sunday Mount Sunday, about 2.5 hours from Christchurch, served as the filming location for Edoras, the capital of Rohan. It's one of the most iconic Lord of the Rings locations in the South Island, and the surrounding Rangitata Valley is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Continue to Queenstown, where you will stay for three nights. Day 9 Free day in Queenstown Queenstown is a year-round resort where excitement meets tranquility amid stunning landscapes. Situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu, there is something for everyone, whether you're seeking serene moments or heart-pounding adventures. Optional activities: Doubtful Sound tour, white water rafting, high country horseback riding, gourmet wine tour Day 10 Full-day Lord of the Rings Tour Your expert guides will bring you through Arcadia Station, the breathtaking filming location nestled in the stunning Paradise area near Glenorchy. This unparalleled experience will bring you closer to the iconic Lord of the Rings locations than any other tour can. Day 11 Flight Home If you cross the international date line, you will arrive home the same calendar day you leave. The post An 11-Day Middle-earth Fantasy in New Zealand appeared first on Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pentagon Draws Up Plans To Send Troops to American Cities
The Trump administration, which on Monday deployed the D.C. National Guard to address crime in the nation's capital, is reportedly gearing up to deploy more troops in American cities. Pentagon plans leaked to The Washington Post detail plans by the Trump administration, time-stamped in late July and early August, for a "Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force" of 600-troop National Guard units. These National Guard units, two 300-troop groups stationed at bases in Alabama and Arizona, would be ready to deploy within an hour to U.S. cities "facing protests or other unrest." The quick-reaction teams would be on task for 90 days "to limit burnout," according to the Post. The plan involves rotating Army and Air Force National Guard units from several states, including Maryland, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Tennessee. Cost projections indicate that the mission could amount to "hundreds of millions of dollars." However, the earliest this program could be funded through the Pentagon's budget is FY 2027. The Post's report also mentions that it is currently uncertain whether the proposal has been presented to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The National Guard Bureau referred Reason to the Defense Department for comment. In response to Reason, a Defense Department official stated, "The Department of Defense is a planning organization and routinely reviews how the department would respond to a variety of contingencies across the globe. We will not discuss these plans through leaked documents, pre-decisional or otherwise." Titles 10 and 32 of the U.S. Code give the president the authority to mobilize National Guard troops for federal missions. Title 10 allows forces to support law enforcement without performing arrests or investigations. Under Title 32, the state or territory governor retains control of the National Guard; however, their duties are federally funded and regulated, which provides guardsmen more latitude in law enforcement missions. The proposal leaked to the Post would allow the president to mobilize the National Guard under Title 32 in states experiencing civil unrest, but acknowledges "the potential for political friction should that state's governor refuse to work with the Pentagon." Laura Dickinson, law professor at George Washington University Law School, tells Reason there's a "strong legal argument that they couldn't in this status be sent to a state without the consent of that state's governor." In response to the president's actions in Washington, D.C., Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has already said that he would "not authorize" National Guard forces in Maryland. "This proposal fits into a larger pattern that we're seeing in which the administration is seeking to use the National Guard and the military to perform direct law enforcement functions or to act in support of law enforcement when there doesn't seem to be a real emergency or crisis," Dickinson adds. The new Pentagon plan mirrors an effort by the first Trump administration to utilize the National Guard to quell political protests. Before the 2020 election, the administration had 600 Guard troops prepared in Arizona and Alabama in anticipation of political violence. "This is Donald Trump's attempt to create his own de facto Praetorian Guard," Patrick Eddington, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, tells Reason. "It's worth reflecting that such actions by the British Crown are what started the American Revolution," he adds. "These acts by the Trump regime have nothing to do with crime and everything to do with armed, coercive political intimidation and repression." The state of California is currently suing the Trump administration for deploying 700 Marines and 4,000 of the state's National Guard to the city of Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids taking place in the city in June. The Trump administration has openly and unconventionally deployed federal law enforcement and the military to achieve its objectives. While it's unclear if or when this will happen, the Pentagon's plan, if implemented, would be yet another encroachment on federalism from the Trump administration. The post Pentagon Draws Up Plans To Send Troops to American Cities appeared first on
New York Post
12-08-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
To fix gender relations, log off, winning by losing slowly and other commentary
Culture critic: To Fix Gender Relations, Log Off Gen Z has seen a 'breakdown in basic trust between young women and men,' notes Spiked's Georgina Mumford. Some 53% 'of men aged 16 to 24 agree with the disheartening statement that 'the majority of women are only attracted to a small subset of men,' ' while their female peers are asking if 'men even like women.' No wonder: Online, Gen Zers are 'exposed to divisive, fear-mongering views of the opposite sex.' Advertisement So 'young women suspect the cult of the 'manosphere' is lurking everywhere,' while many young men are 'cowed by the constant portrayals of men as either 'pathetic' or inherently harmful.' One solution: 'focus on real-world interactions,' where it's clear that most 'men are not out to hurt women, and most women have no interest in seeing men humiliated.' Eye on Ukraine: Winning by Losing Slowly 'Losing as slowly as possible — husbanding one's manpower and resources during a careful strategic retreat — is a time-tested strategy against an ostensibly superior force,' explains Paul Schwennesen at Reason: 'From George Washington to Ho Chi Minh,' this 'inglorious yet practical approach' proved 'devastatingly effective'; it's even how Russia defeated Napoleon. Advertisement And 'Ukrainian troops, though vastly outgunned and increasingly short on Western munitions, are executing a form of delay-in-depth warfare that exacts a mounting toll on Russian combat power' and makes 'each successive advance punishingly expensive.' Even the Soviets felt obliged to give up on Afghanistan, and 'Russia takes more casualties in ten days of frontline operations in Ukraine than were killed in ten years in Afghanistan.' Kyiv must 'ensure that every meter Russia gains brings it closer to exhaustion'; it's 'a time-honored approach that has felled many an empire.' Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Politics beat: Behind the Far Left's Rise Advertisement Having 'just suffered a historic defeat' and 'lost the popular vote,' Democrats are 'bereft of ideas and riven by internal division,' observes UnHerd's James Billot — which leaves the party 'open to challenges from the ideological fringes.' Dem voters 'have undergone a dramatic shift on Israel' and the 'refusal to tone down criticism of Israel's conduct of the Gaza war has forced once-taboo positions into the mainstream.' This dynamic 'is playing out at the ballot box,' where younger progressives are challenging mainstream incumbents. Thus, 'the anti-establishment feeling that fueled Trump's return is moving in both directions,' with Democrats expressing a high level of 'disaffection' from their party, while insurgent 'fringe discontent' is gelling into a 'coherent, organized revolt.' Liberal: Democrats' Leadership Vacuum Advertisement Most 2028 Democratic candidates would bring 'much-needed generational change for a party verging on gerontocracy,' but the Liberal Patriot's Justin Vassallo sees little 'happening in terms of freely debating the party's top priorities and errors,' even as it 'remains largely disengaged from the constituencies it must reach to prevail in 2028.' One 'reason no Democrat appears capable of changing the state of play nationally is that even the most sensible ones are afraid of rebuking the positions that have saddled the party with such a dismal reputation.' Sadly, the party's 'professional activists and pundits' instead 'prefer the theatrics of leaders like [Gavin] Newsom, [J.B.] Pritzker, and Sen. Cory Booker' to Bill Clinton-era 'moderation' and 'triangulation.' Aid watch: How Charity Fuels War Machines Despite 'heartbreaking' pictures of Gaza's 'desperate children clamoring for supplies,' warns Netta Barak-Corren in The Wall Street Journal, in every conflict after conflict, aid trucks 'double as cash machines for warlords, militias and authoritarian regimes.' In Somalia, 'barely one-eighth of donated food reaches intended households,' with the rest stolen by powerful clans; the same holds in Syria and Ethiopia. 'Gaza presents the longest-running case of diverted aid,' for 'several reasons.' Officials figure that at least some aid gets through, 'institutional survival' takes on outsized importance and 'adversaries are able to adapt' as aid workers cycle out. Advertisement Accountability and pressure from donor states is key: 'Tighten the taps now or watch the well run dry.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Conservative host Robby Soave splits with longtime wife to get engaged to gay lover
A popular political pundit has become the talk of D.C.'s social scene after splitting with his wife of almost ten years to get engaged to his younger gay lover. Robby Soave, who turns 37 next month, is best known as the co-host of The Hill's morning show Rising, as well as for his regular appearances on Fox News and his role as a senior editor at the libertarian magazine Reason. Earlier this week, Soave shocked his followers when he abruptly announced his engagement to male med student Jie Jung Shih. Soave popped the question with a Tiffany and Co. ring over candles and champagne in Taormina, Sicily, while the pair were on a romantic getaway together. Announcing the news on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, 'Some personal news from my Sicily trip earlier this month, in case anyone missed it: I got engaged!' There was no mention of Soave's longtime wife Caroline 'Carrie' Soave, who he celebrated his ninth anniversary with in Positano, Italy, back in October, 2023. Robby and Carrie were high school sweethearts who went on their first date back in 2004. The Rising host often posted photos with Carrie on Instagram, and was never shy when it came to gushing about their marriage. In a 2019 post, he wrote, 'Today, five years ago, @carriesoave and I got married, following just over 10 years of dating that began when we were in high school and continued through college and after. 'Despite having to spend years and years and years apart from each other, we always knew where we wanted to end up: Together. I love you so much babe!' While celebrating their wedding anniversary in 2023, Soave gushed, 'Could not be more overjoyed to celebrate nine years married to @carriesoave! 'The most wonderful woman on earth, and the love of my life. Of course it's actually been a lot longer… we fell in love as high schoolers in the early 00s. There's no one else I'd rather travel the world with. Italy is almost as beautiful as you!' The former couple were often seen out at events in Washington, D.C., and would dress up together on Halloween. It's unclear when exactly they split, but Robby hasn't posted anything with Carrie since their ninth wedding anniversary in late 2023. Last fall, Carrie officially left D.C. to return home to Michigan to be with her family and to open a consulting business. Discussing her move with the Grosse Pointe News in March, Carrie said, 'My family is here and I'd been wanting to come back.' hears that the Soaves' split has been the talk of the town in D.C.'s social circles all week. While some are happy to see Robby out of the closet, the overwhelming sympathy is with Carrie, who was with Robby for 17 years before fleeing D.C. for a 'fresh start' in Michigan after their divorce was finalized last year. Other have said that Robby's sexuality has been part of the D.C. gossip mill for years, so few people were surprised to see him end up with a man. As for Carrie, she hasn't publicly offered any details about her personal life and appears to be going to great lengths to fly under the radar and move on from her failed marriage. Soave hasn't shared much about his relationship to fiance Shih either, but he did tell Politico that they met at a bar on U Street in D.C. and that it was 'love at first sight.' has contacted Robby and Carrie for comment. Since publicly sharing his engagement, Soave has been inundated with cruel and often homophobic comments from his followers as well as countless right wing figures. 'The amount of extremely homophobic comments this is getting is truly astounding and disgusting,' wrote one follower. 'Why can't people just be happy for other people's happiness? The haters had no call to spew their irrational hatred like that. Very disappointed. Idiots never stop to amaze.' Despite the backlash, Soave has received support from a number of other prominent political pundits, including former Rising co-hosts Kim Iversen and Ryan Grim. 'Congratulations Robby! Wishing you both many great years ahead!' Iversen gushed. Soave is a decorated journalist who made it onto Forbes' 30 under 30 list in 2016. He's published two books, is a regular on Fox News and is currently the longest-serving co-host on Rising, which is one of YouTube's biggest political talk shows. His partner Jie Jung Shih is a student at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Shih is active in the LGBTQ+ community, and was one of a group of med students who volunteered at Capital Pride Festival in Washington last year.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Political circus over Epstein files hurts sex trafficking survivors
Survivors of human trafficking, especially those linked to the Epstein network, have already endured years, sometimes decades, of trauma and fear. The ongoing partisan fight over the 'missing Epstein files' is not a move toward transparency. It is a deliberate distraction from justice − one that re-traumatizes sex trafficking survivors, protects powerful offenders and erodes trust in the criminal justice system. As politicians and media outlets use the case of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to score political points or spread conspiracies, they cause real harm to trafficking victims and law enforcement officials who handle such cases. There's also a loss of public confidence in due process. Survivors of human trafficking, especially those linked to the Epstein network, have already endured years, sometimes decades, of trauma and fear. The politicization of their stories reopens wounds in ways that are harmful and cruel. As media pundits and political operatives speculate about 'client lists' and 'missing videos,' they reduce lived experiences to hashtags. Research shows that when survivors are pulled into public debates or forced to watch their perpetrators discussed without resolution, their trauma symptoms often worsen. This is exploitation disguised as outrage. Shielding the elites, while avoiding accountability The Department of Justice has confirmed there is no official 'client list.' Yet political figures lean into innuendo, shifting attention from real questions, such as: How did Epstein operate for so long? Who enabled him? Why were survivors dismissed? Instead of pursuing these hard inquiries, public debate fixates on anonymous 'powerful men.' This deflection reinforces the culture of silence, wealth and privilege that allows trafficking to persist. Sex trafficking prosecutions are delicate. They require survivor cooperation, law enforcement diligence and prosecutorial care. Sensationalized media coverage and partisan speculation create impossible expectations and foster distrust in real investigations. Prosecutors, especially in Epstein-adjacent cases, may hesitate to act under political scrutiny. Worse, traffickers and defense attorneys can weaponize this chaos, arguing that charges are politically motivated or that evidence was tainted by media leaks. This undermines the system's core objectives: accountability, victim safety and the rule of law. Epstein spectacle undermines justice Media narratives play a crucial role in shaping how the public understands human trafficking. When stories are driven more by political agendas than verified facts, they blur the line between trustworthy journalism and conspiracy. A 2024 survey found that 46% of Americans report having very little or no knowledge of sex trafficking, while only 51% say they have some or significant knowledge, highlighting widespread uncertainty. Similarly, a 2016 Reason article reported that while 73% of Americans believe trafficking is widespread or occurs occasionally in the U.S., far fewer think it happens in their own states, revealing dangerous gaps in public perception. This confusion is compounded by persistent false claims, including those spread online by extremist groups. The U.S. State Department warns such misinformation overwhelms service providers, misleads law enforcement and threatens advocates. Conspiracies about 'elite pedophile rings' have forced anti-trafficking organizations to divert resources from victim support to myth busting. Online echo chambers continue to amplify misleading narratives, leaving nearly half the country vulnerable to deception. These distortions obstruct efforts by advocates, providers and survivors working to confront the actual and complex realities of trafficking. Let's focus on trafficking survivors, not sensationalism Fighting trafficking requires more than political showmanship. It requires trauma-informed, survivor-centered justice. This means confidential testimony procedures, access to victim services and financial restitution. Frontline responders − police, health care providers and social workers − need coordinated training and wellness support to maintain their long-term involvement. Courts must resist politicization by supporting bipartisan task forces, independent prosecutors and transparent legal processes. Policies that prioritize survivor welfare and judicial integrity, rather than party loyalty, are more likely to deliver accountability. Conspiracy theories often mix partial truths with fabrications, distracting from core issues like family coercion, intimate partner control and forced labor. We need a public education campaign based on survivor-informed, evidence-based messaging. Without it, people will continue relying on memes and unverified posts − often spreading harm. The partisan use of cases like Epstein's doesn't empower survivors; it exploits their trauma. They aren't campaign props. They are individuals whose lives have been shattered. When trafficking is reduced to hashtags and headlines, we ignore the patterns and enablers that must be dismantled. Survivors don't need visibility. They need protection, and a system that acts on their behalf, not against them. Cathryn Lavery is the department chairperson and a professor of criminal justice and security at Pace University's Dyson College of Arts and Sciences.
