A correspondent has referred us several times to a website “needtoknow.news” produced by G. Edward Griffin. We here at TPOL are unfamiliar with Griffin or his “news” site.

We invite readers to share their impressions of “Need To Know” and both the honesty of its news stories and the rationality of its analysis.

Here are some thoughts on some of their recent postings. Are they honest? Accurate? Many are reposts, especially from the infamous (and now, we understand, bankrupt) Alex Jones, Daily Caller, and other sources. Clearly, some of these sources set off alarm bells. As do the headlines.

“Bombshell Trump Family Owns 30% of Salem Media, a Registered Agent of Israel” – in our opinion, is hardly a “bombshell” – the holdings of the Trump family are a matter of public record. And the connections of the Trumps with Jews and their sympathy towards Israel is well-known.

“Illegal-Alien Crime is Higher than Many Think – and Is HIDDEN by Authorities” – should come as no surprise. We at TPOL constantly encounter people whose knowledge and understanding of crime in the States is highly skewed and often just plain wrong. Nor is it news that “Authorities” (local and State) hide as much information as possible concerning both the rate of crimes and the identity (and backgrounds) of those who commit crimes. People in office want to show that “their policies” are effective in reducing crime, thus helping their reelection efforts to stay in power. And the jack-booted thugs and bureaucrats “fighting a war on crime” want to keep their jobs. They can do that by demonstrating that they have things under control. Yet, avoid blaming some group of voters (or influencers) who are important to their political bosses.

“Prego Pasta Sauce Sold Out of Device to Record Family Dinner Conversations” – is something TPOL had to look up to make sure it wasn’t a Babylon Bee or Casper Planet story! But it seems that a dozen different outlets, not just the “Not-the-Bee” website and X account, are reporting that this “Connection Keeper” surveillance device not only will record your conversations at dinner (and presumably breakfast, lunch, tea, and supper!) but let you upload the recording to the Library of Congress. And sold out within days! (The official Campbell’s website says it is out of stock.) Weird? Yes, for us here at TPOL. But then, in a world and nations where people post pix on X and Instagram showing what they are eating at every meal? And let the cops connect to their Ring device to observe their front door, yard, and street?

“Fort Knox Full of Impure Gold Unfit for International Transactions” – is hardly news, and Mises.org, the source does not present it as such. But “Need to Know” does. The article by Michael Maharrey is a commentary and historical information. Given the history of that gold at the US Army post, it is an exaggeration that the gold is “unfit” for international transactions. It does not meet established standards for certain kinds of trades, particularly “international settlements.” But most gold traded around the world – especially bought by individuals and companies other than central banks and governments – is “impure.” Why? Because pure gold (anything at or above 99.5% gold, with various trace metals such as silver, copper, etc.) is very soft and therefore makes lousy coinage, jewelry, and electronics components (or gold leaf or foil). But the Mises article appears to be both truthful and reasonable in its analysis.

So far, it appears (based on this small sample) that at least some of what “Need to Know” publishes or reposts is both accurate and reasonable. Its general feel is that of a conservative (perhaps even paleo-conservative) publication. We were unable to find any original content: it appears to be even more just a site reposting other people’s work. In contrast to sites like Freedom’s Phoenix or the “mainstream” libertarian sites (Mises, Antiwar, Christian Libertarian, etc.) which offer original news, commentary, and analysis.

Again, readers, please provide some feed back.