Originally published at: Good News Friday: Anthropic Rejects Pentagon’s Demand to Drop AI Limits on Surveillance & Weapons – Peak Prosperity
Artificial Intelligence
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei rejected rejected the Department of War’s requests to develop AI for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, citing potential risks to democratic values and current technological constraints. This comes after DoW had threatened to cancel contracts and designate Anthropic a supply chain risk unless AI safeguards are removed. Amodei noted that partial autonomy in weapons, as seen in Ukraine, supports defense efforts, though full autonomy lacks sufficient reliability and oversight. Anthropic proposed R&D collaboration, which the DoW declined, and remains prepared for any contract transitions. He further described the company’s partnerships with the DoW and intelligence agencies, including deployment of Claude AI models in classified networks, national laboratories, and for tasks such as intelligence analysis and cyber operations. Anthropic also reportedly declined revenue from firms linked to the Chinese Communist Party, addressed cyberattacks, and backed chip export controls.
US Politics
Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution directing the House Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release records of sexual harassment investigations involving members and staff, with victim information redacted. Cosponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, the measure requires action within 60 days of adoption to promote transparency in taxpayer-funded settlements under the Congressional Accountability Act. Mace intends to file it on March 4, prompting a House vote within two legislative days amid reports of allegations against Rep. Tony Gonzales. House Ethics Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest warned that broad disclosures during pending investigations could be detrimental to thorough reviews.
In Missouri, their House of Representatives approved legislation requiring sports participation based on biological sex rather than gender identity, aiming to ensure fairness in athletic competitions.
In Maine, homeschooling now accounts for 6.4% of children, exceeding pandemic peaks and the national average. School boards discussed the increase during January and February 2026 budget meetings as parents remove students from public schools.
Lastly, an independent journalist released a 2023 Bohemian Grove attendee list, identifying over 2,200 participants grouped by the club’s camps. The list includes figures such as former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Bloomberg LP founder Michael Bloomberg, Koch Industries chairman Charles G. Koch, former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, Rockefeller heir David Rockefeller Jr., Paul Pelosi, former Attorney General Edwin Meese III, Carlyle Group co-founder David M. Rubenstein, real estate developer Harlan Crow, and retired General Richard B. Myers. The publication sheds light on the Bohemian Club’s annual private encampment, which features rituals including the Cremation of Care ceremony before a 40-foot owl statue. The Bohemian Club stated that it does not maintain public attendee lists due to its private nature.
Canadian Politics
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed that an independence petition, assuming it collects the required signatures, will be placed on the October 19, 2026 ballot with other referendum questions, aligning with timelines for similar initiatives. Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi expressed opposition to separatism, affirming pride in Canadian unity.
Health
A Big Data Poll of 2,012 registered voters, conducted February 16-18 with a 2.1% margin of error, found 60% favor removing vaccine manufacturers’ immunity for injuries, including majorities across ages, genders, races, and parties, with 33% strongly agreeing. Only 27.5% opposed. The 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act grants immunity except for fraud or illegal activity, funding compensation through vaccine taxes amid processing backlogs. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Sen. Rand Paul have proposed reforms, including broader compensation eligibility. Some critics described the poll as potentially biased due to its sponsorship by an advocacy group.
Additionally, recent polls show public confidence in the pharmaceutical industry at second-to-last among 25 sectors, according to Gallup, with negative views rising from 34% in 2020 to 58%. Support for general vaccination requirements has declined, with 45% favoring no government involvement despite survey phrasing. Pew and Annenberg data indicate Republican parents report lower confidence in childhood vaccine effectiveness, safety, and schedules than Democrats. A Fabrizio poll found opposition to mandates, particularly among Republicans, and noted that questions like “Vaccines save lives” may bias results, according to analysts. Another Fabrizio survey showed a plurality supporting family choice on vaccinations and strong opposition to liability protections. However, a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated 84% of Americans view vaccines like measles as safe, with two-thirds of Republicans supporting school mandates.
Environment
Stargazers can observe a six-planet alignment on Saturday, February 28, featuring Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune along the ecliptic plane in the western sky 30 minutes after sunset. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune will appear closely aligned, visible to the naked eye except Neptune, which needs binoculars or a telescope. A faint Uranus and brighter Jupiter will be nearby. This follows a seven-planet alignment last year, with the next full event in 2040. Astronomers cautioned that low horizon positions and atmospheric distortion may challenge visibility for fainter planets.
In Kenya’s Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties, Farm Africa’s STRAK project has trained 60,000 smallholder farmers since 2017 in regenerative practices including intercropping, agroforestry, crop rotation, and farmyard manure. Over 70% adoption has led to crop yields up to 81% higher, 92% improved water retention, fewer crop failures, less soil erosion, and reduced chemical use. Analysis by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry across 2,000 sites verified gains in soil health and microbial diversity, enhancing incomes and climate resilience via community knowledge sharing. Some farmers reported challenges with late inputs and limited technical support in scaling practices.
Galápagos National Park released 158 juvenile giant tortoises of Floreana lineage onto Floreana Island, their ancestral home where the species had been extinct for over 180 years since the mid-1800s. Genetic studies identified related tortoises on Wolf Volcano of Isabela Island, which were bred to restore the original lineage. As keystone species, the tortoises help disperse seeds, shape vegetation, and aid ecosystem recovery, creating habitat for potential reintroductions like the Floreana mockingbird and racer snake. The Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, led by the local community of 160 residents along with Galápagos Conservancy, Charles Darwin Foundation, Island Conservation, and Fundación Jocotoco, represents the archipelago’s largest such initiative and bolsters land-sea connections benefiting marine life.
Sources
Bohemian Grove 2023 Attendee List Leaked: Kissinger, Bloomberg, Koch Among 2,200 Elites
Bohemian Grove Membership List Leaked
Anthropic Rejects DoW Demands for AI in Mass Surveillance and Fully Autonomous Weapons
Regardless, these threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.
Mace Forces Vote to Expose Taxpayer-Funded Congressional Harassment Settlements
No more protection for predators in Congress.
158 Giant Tortoises Return to Galápagos Island After 180 Years of Extinction
For the first time in over 180 years, a giant tortoise population is once again walking the landscapes of Floreana Island—launching the largest restoration effort ever undertaken on the Galápagos islands.
Six-Planet Parade Aligns in Western Sky This Saturday
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all clustered together in the sky.
Danielle Smith Confirms Alberta Independence Petition Could Hit 2026 Ballot
If they get the requisite number of signatures, our intention would be to put those on the ballot
Polls Expose Pharma Distrust—and a Biased Poll’s Political Scam
In sum, we live in times of grave doubt about pharma, vaccine proliferation, vaccine safety, and everything associated with government and industry as it relates to injections.
Kenya’s Regenerative Farming Revolution Reaps Record Yields
“These results clearly demonstrate that regenerative agriculture is not just an environmental intervention, it is an economic one.”
Poll: 60% of Voters Want Vaccine Makers’ Immunity Stripped
Sixty percent of voters responding to the poll agreed that vaccine manufacturers should be stripped of immunity in such cases
Maine Homeschooling Surges to 6.4%, Topping Pandemic Levels as Parents Flee Public School “Rot”
Roughly 1 in 15 (6.4% of children) are now homeschooled
Missouri House Passes Bill Mandating Sports by Biological Sex, Not Gender Identity
It will mandate participation based on male or female, not gender identity
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: New York Post, JV, Anthropic blog, Reuters, Perth Observatory, Farmers Trend, Alberta NDP leader statements, Reuters/Ipsos poll, and Big Data Poll critics.