Yes, it’s still free to subscribe to this nearly daily newsletter! Greg Mitchell is the author of fourteen books and director of five films for PBS since 2022. In a previous life, he was a longtime editor at the legendary Crawdaddy.
Kimmel survives gross attack:
New York Times: “A major flu outbreak has sickened nearly 160 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas weeks after Defense Secretary Hegseth announced that U.S. troops would no longer be required to be vaccinated for the flu, defense officials said.
Hooray, if you watched John Oliver last week:
Labour Mayor Wins U.K. Special Election, Clearing Path to Challenge Starmer
Andy Burnham, Labour’s most popular politician, beat the populist right-wing Reform U.K. party in the Makerfield by-election. The decisive victory will energize his bid to become prime minister.
Nick Kristof:
A woman dies every two hours of cervical cancer in the US -- and these deaths are utterly unnecessary. HPV vaccines prevent it, and screenings catch it early when it’s treatable. But we’re dismantling federal support for reproductive health care programs like Title X.
Lucian Truscott IV:
Trump justified the $14 million no-bid contract for his buddy the golf resort pool guy because he wanted the reflecting pool gleaming with “American flag blue” water before the 250th American anniversary ceremonies on the National Mall. Instead, he produced an ecological wonderland that has the extra-added benefit of attracting wildlife to the pool, such as ducks and geese, and yes, the mosquitoes that Washington is famous for. Mosquitoes just love to lay their eggs in algae-ridden still waters. The only way Trump could have produced a better mosquito incubator would have been to create a huge pile of 10,000 used automobile tires and let rain fill them with water for the mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. Mosquitoes like used tires better than reflecting pools, but they’ll settle for Trump’s pool guy paint job if they have to.
Music Picks
At the opening of the Obama Library in Chicago on Thursday….Bruce with “Land of Hope and Dreams.”
John Legend and Common with “Glory”
Bono and The Edge, “City of Blinding Lights”
Stevie Wonder and everyone with the climax “Higher Ground” and hugs from the Obamas at end
….And Stephen Colbert wore a tan suit.
From Tunes to Toons
Ann Telnaes:
Bramhall:
Wuerker”
Bagley
Sack
Steve Brodner: Those of us in the graphic arts are weighing in with our take on a 250th Birthday image. This is mine, for the current Harper’s.
Photo Finish
Since I’m heading for L.A., here from a previous trip:
The Obama Library opening reminds us that there are really wonderfully, intelligent folks still out there. The Obama Family will always get my vote!
All just great, especially the photo!