The Navigator, Saturday, May 10, 2025
Pope Leo v Trump, False savings, Boomer baddies, Mom's Day poll, Mexico's Gulf course, Trump's oath of office, Hope shared in song—and more
Looking over the latest barrage of headlines this past week, it felt like we, as a nation, were again bruised and confused—but still together, and even hopeful, as naive as that may sound in a world of chaos.
More judges pushed back on Trump’s excesses, a lot of the money DOGE has cut from government agencies has been restored in some of the places most needed, the Catholic Church, for the first time, made an American its new Pope—a move the Vatican and papal commentators described as a bid to give our divided nation (and world) a calmer and contrasting new presence amid the Trump administration’s shock and awe strategies and political turbulence abroad.
Hope is a choice, and Mother’s Day—to be celebrated tomorrow as a day of hope and peace by many families—also came into being during a time of political conflict. American Julia Ward Howe, best known as the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, founded Mother’s Day in 1870, horrified by the death and destruction she had witnessed during the Civil War. Her “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” was originally called an “appeal to womanhood throughout the world … to find ways to avoid war, racial hate and bloodshed.” Howe said in a post-war speech: “I earnestly ask that a general congress of women, without limit of nationality, may be appointed … to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”
That wish persists today—at least according to You.gov, one of the top polling firms in America. Last month, it surveyed 500 mothers across the country who cited today’s political turbulence as a major source of stress. Most (61%) said they just wanted to spend Mother’s Day this year with their children; 38% said they wanted to share a “simple” family dinner, and 35% said they wanted to stay home to re-connect with the family they love.
Yes, autocrats are dismantling democracies around the world but the daily realities and struggles of humans navigating life persist, and are expanding, generating more stories in these times about our nation’s historic challenges, divisions, hopes and dreams. Telling and sharing these original stories; giving you, our subscribers, hopeful experiences, and connecting through empathy rather than rage—all of it is a design choice. “There are no metrics that measure the importance of the human stories of our times, nor their impact on the human heart,” journalist Jacqui Banaszynski said recently at a European journalism conference.
We at New Rules trust and have faith in the kinds of stories that don’t just record bits of history and innovation. We also seek those bits which reveal the soul of our changing nation.
Wishing you peace this Mother’s Day.
And as always, thank you for including us in your week. Let us know your thoughts on this week’s events and your input on the new rules emerging for tomorrow.
An American Pope Emerges as a Potential Contrast to Trump on the World Stage. (The New York Times)
Pope Leo XIV’s focus on refugees and his pluralistic background may offer a different view of U.S. values from the president’s America First approach.
Da pope? Chicagoans sound off on the new pontiff who ‘they-knew-when’ (WBEZ Radio-Chicago/NPR)
Robert Prevost, the first American ever to be Pope, was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side. WBEZ’s Reset show captures his home town’s reactions.
34 Very Good Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts. (New York magazine)
Mother’s Day is celebrated Sunday, but a last-minute gift doesn’t have to be boring nor expensive. Here’s a list of online bests—some of which are on sale now too.
Musk’s Team Claims More False Savings. (The New York Times)
Hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts killed by Elon Musk’s team have come back to life — but DOGE’s “wall of receipts” is still claiming the savings for killing them.
Joe Biden Still Thinks He Could Have Won. (Vanity Fair)
“I beat him,” the former president said of Trump on The View, part of a media blitz aimed at repairing his legacy.
Bill Gates on why he is donating his remaining wealth. (PBS NewsHour)
Billionaire Bill Gates will be doubling his philanthropic giving, to more than $200 billion over the next 20 years, when the foundation will close permanently.
Why and how people over the age of 55 are keeping some bad habits alive. (The Economist)
New data looking into a darker side of the baby-boomer generation, worldwide.
“This bracelet records everything I say, swearing included.” (The Wall Street Journal)
The $50 Bee Pioneer bracelet has microphones that capture all your words, then uses AI to summarize your conversations—and more.
Mexico sues Google over changing Gulf of Mexico’s name to “Gulf of America” for U.S. users. (The Guardian)
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum says a lawsuit was filed against Google objecting to the U.S. tech company’s decision to label the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on Google Maps seen by U.S. users.
U.S. confirms plan for private firms to deliver Gaza aid despite UN alarm. (BBC News)
A new system for providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza is being prepared by private U.S. companies, as Israel's blockade continues for a third month.
The President’s unusual new take on his oath of office. (NBC News)
President Trump, asked by NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker if he believes he has to 'uphold the Constitution,' said 'I don't know.'