Welcome to The Minuteman: Discretion by Education.
The Minuteman is a nonpartisan educational platform that helps readers make sense of the news through context and clarity — not commentary. We don’t report the news — we help you understand the news. Because informed citizens make informed decisions — and that’s where democracy begins.
Explore our key sections:
- Explainers – concise breakdowns of major topics
- Quick Definitions – plain-language terms that clarify the conversation
- Deep Dives – detailed looks at complex issues
- Timelines – historical overviews from origin to today
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Today’s Explainers
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What Is a Protest?
A protest is a public expression of opposition or demand for change. It can be organized by individuals, groups, or movements and may take the form of marches, rallies, boycotts, petitions, or civil disobedience.
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What SNAP Is and Why It Matters
TL;DR SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income Americans afford food through monthly benefits. It was previously known as the Food Stamp Program and now uses EBT cards instead of paper coupons. SNAP reduces food insecurity, boosts public health, and stimulates local economies. Eligibility is based on income and household size; benefits can be…
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Classified Information and Mishandling: What It Is, Why It Matters
Classified information refers to government-owned or controlled information related to national defense or foreign relations that requires protection from unauthorized disclosure.
Quick Definitions
Artificial Intelligence
Quick Definition: Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computational systems and algorithms designed to…
Chatbot
Quick Definition: Chatbot A chatbot is a software application that interacts with users through natural…
Classified Information
Quick Definition: Classified Information Classified information is official government data that is restricted from public…
Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA)
Executive Order
Quick Definition: Executive Order Executive order is an official directive issued by the President of…
Food Stamps
Generative AI
Quick Definition: Generative AI Generative AI refers to a class of AI systems designed to…
Indictment
Quick Definition: Indictment Indictment is a formal written accusation issued by a grand jury stating…
Large Language Model (LLM)
Quick Definition: Large Language Model (LLM) A Large Language Model (LLM) is a form of…
Medicare Advantage
Monitorship
Quick Definition: Monitorship A monitorship is a remedy often imposed in legal or regulatory contexts,…
Quantum Computing
Quick Definition: Quantum Computing Quantum Computing is a computing paradigm that uses quantum mechanical phenomena—such…
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Tariff
Quick Definition: Tariff A tariff is a tax or duty that a government charges on…
Deep Dives
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Air Traffic Crisis: The Aging System Keeping Our Skies Safe—For Now
America’s skies are safe—but barely. Behind every flight is a shrinking, overworked force of air traffic controllers using outdated equipment, crumbling towers, and even parts bought on eBay to keep planes from colliding. This story exposes how chronic understaffing, decades of neglect, and stalled modernization have pushed the nation’s air traffic control system to its…
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Medicare Advantage, Explained: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Often Fails the People Who Need It Most
Medicare Advantage promises more benefits for less money—but behind the glossy ads lies a system costing taxpayers billions more while often denying care, trapping patients in narrow networks, and leaving the sickest Americans struggling to get treatment when they need it most.
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The History and Evolution of Protest
Protest—the act of expressing dissent—has existed as long as human societies have had systems of power. While not all protests result in immediate policy changes, their cumulative impact is significant.
Timelines
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The Global History of Protest
A timeline of the global history of protest. How it evolved and became what it is today.
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The History of SNAP and Food Stamps in America (1930s–2025)
SNAP originated from responses to food insecurity during the Great Depression. The first food stamp pilot launched in 1939, allowing participants to buy food using color-coded stamps.
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Timeline: U.S. Classified Information and Mishandling Cases
The U.S. classification system was formalized in the mid-20th century to protect national defense and intelligence data.