Critical Thinking Isn’t a Buzzword—

🧠 What Does It Really Mean to Have Critical Thinking Skills?

And How to Use Them When Reading the News or Navigating Politics

👋 Hey there,

You’ve probably heard the phrase "critical thinking skills" tossed around a lot—by teachers, job ads, or your friend who insists they’re “just being logical.”

But what does it actually mean to be a critical thinker? And how can you apply it in everyday life—especially when it comes to politics and media?

Let’s dig in.

🧠 What Are Critical Thinking Skills?

At its core, critical thinking means using clear, rational judgment when you’re absorbing or evaluating information. It’s about being curious, not gullible.

A critical thinker asks:

• Is this information reliable?

• Is there evidence to support this claim?

• Am I reacting emotionally—or thinking through the facts?

• What’s the other side of the story?

📱 Everyday Example: The Facebook Headline Trap

Let’s say you scroll past a headline:
"Senator Wants to Ban Hamburgers!"

Instead of hitting share or typing in all caps, critical thinking looks like:

1. Pausing to breathe.

2. Checking the source—legit news site or clickbait blog?

3. Reading the article—not just the headline.

4. Asking: Is this a ban or a recommendation? What’s the context?

5. Looking for another outlet covering the same topic.

Boom. You just did real-world fact-checking.

🏛️ In Politics, Critical Thinking is Your Superpower

Example 1: “They’re Raising Taxes Again!”

Ask:

• Who's "they"?

• Which taxes, and on whom?

• What’s the why behind the proposal?

Example 2: Echo Chambers

****If you always hear news from one source, try reading how another side frames the same story. You don’t have to agree—just explore. It helps you understand the full picture (and makes your debates way sharper).

🧩 Cheat Sheet: News Sources by Bias

Here’s a simplified breakdown of credible news outlets by lean.

🟦 Left-Leaning (Progressive)

• The Guardian

• MSNBC

• Vox

• HuffPost

• Slate

• Mother Jones

⚪ Center (Neutral/Mixed)

• AP News

• Reuters

• BBC News

• NPR

• PBS NewsHour

• Christian Science Monitor

🟥 Right-Leaning (Conservative)

• Fox News

• The Wall Street Journal

• National Review

• The Daily Wire

• Washington Examiner

• The Federalist

🧠 Tip: Try reading one story from each column to see how it’s framed differently.

📬 Want Balanced News in 10 Minutes a Day?

Try these apps and newsletters:

🔍 Apps That Help

• Ground News – See headlines from left, center, right

• AllSides – Rates story bias across sources

• SmartNews – Custom feed from multiple outlets

🗞️ Newsletters Worth Subscribing To

• The Flip Side – Left vs. Right breakdown on one topic per day

• 1440 – Just the facts, no spin

• Axios AM/PM – Quick and clean briefings

🧩 Browser Tool

• NewsGuard – Trust ratings for websites in your feed

💬 Final Thought

Critical thinking isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about being aware. Aware of your own biases, emotions, and how others may try to influence you. It’s about slowing down just enough to ask the right questions.

It’s not about being right.
It’s about being informed.

Here are some of the top political news stories from today, April 7, 2025:

U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Removal of Democrats from Labor Boards

A federal appeals court has prevented President Donald Trump from removing Democratic members from two federal labor boards. This decision complicates efforts by the administration to assert greater control over independent federal agencies. ​Reuters

President Trump Threatens Increased Tariffs on China

President Trump has threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing does not remove its retaliatory tariffs against the United States. He also announced the termination of ongoing trade negotiations with China, signaling an escalation in trade tensions. ​Reuters

Direct U.S.-Iran Talks on Nuclear Program Announced

President Trump revealed that the United States is engaging in direct talks with Iran concerning its nuclear program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that if these talks lead to a complete halt of Iran's nuclear ambitions, it would be a positive development. ​Reuters+2The Times of Israel+2AP News+2

Israel's Supreme Court Reviews Intelligence Chief's Dismissal

The Israeli Supreme Court is set to review Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. The dismissal has sparked political controversy and protests, with critics alleging political motivations linked to ongoing investigations. ​Reuters

EU Prioritizes Negotiations Over Retaliation on U.S. Tariffs

European Union ministers have agreed to prioritize negotiations with the U.S. in response to newly imposed tariffs by President Trump. While preparing countermeasures, the EU seeks to avoid escalating into a trade war. ​Reuters

Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq Consider Disarmament

Several Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq are contemplating disarmament to avoid potential U.S. military action. This reflects a strategic shift amid rising regional tensions and U.S. pressure. ​Reuters