Musical, Political and Comical Protests Continue

More raging against the machine, plus Lady Gaga asks, "Won't You Be My Nieghbor?"

Yes, it’s still somehow free to subscribe to this nearly daily music ‘n politics newsletter, or you can pledge a payment if we ever go in that direction. If you are already a subscriber, let’s hear from you in Comments, thanks!

Update: Now Bruce has released a new video for his Minneapolis protest song with lyrics, footage of cops in action, and him singing.

Jimmy and Stephen last night weigh in…

Heather Cox Richardson:

Federal agents continue to rain terror on Minneapolis, Minnesota, and other U.S. cities including Portland and Lewiston, Maine. That violence has made it crystal clear that the goal of attacking immigrants is not simply to create a white nation; it is also to terrorize Americans into accepting the domination of MAGA Republicans….

Malcolm Ferguson of The New Republic reported today that because the federal government won’t hold ICE and Border Patrol agents accountable for their actions, elected prosecutors around the country have launched a group called Fight Against Federal Overreach, or FAFO. This acronym is more commonly used to represent the saying: “F*ck Around and Find Out.”

Important piece re: the vaccines rollback in USA by David Wallace-Wells, the reporter for The New York Times and The Guardian best known for his writing on climate change:

Among their many purposes and benefits, vaccines have served now for decades as a kind of substitute health safety net in America. They are a way of limiting the downside consequences of all of our country’s notorious shortcomings: its lack of universal or free health care, its imperfect health insurance system, its lack of robust disease surveillance and screening, its declining trust in medical institutions and practitioners, its yawning gaps of economic inequality and equally horrifying disparities in morbidity and mortality...

If America were a healthier, better cared for and solidaristic place, perhaps we could get away with somewhat less aggressive vaccination, trusting that those who really needed the boost of protection could be reliably identified ahead of time and that those who fell sick later could be capably treated. As it is, mass vaccination is not just a disease prophylactic but among the simplest tools we have to limit the damage of America’s many social pathologies and inequalities. And the consequences of rolling back that safety net are likely to be profound.

George Will on Minneapolis and the Loutocracy:

Some administration louts have said that the most recent (as of this writing) person killed in Minneapolis by a federal officer was a “would-be assassin” and, of course, a “domestic terrorist.” Because Republicans control congressional committee gavels, and because today’s president controls congressional Republicans, there will be no oversight of ICE’s rampages. The Senate, which disgraced itself by confirming Noem and others unqualified for Cabinet positions, is especially unlikely to suddenly acquire the inconvenience of a conscience.

So, expect more killings, and more political smearing of the victims. That ICE’s disgraces will continue is, in its revolting way, a promise kept: loutocracy.

Yes, they will be trying to sell special popcorn buckets at the screenings. Surely you will not have to wait in line. Perfect for Donald, though, with his little hands.

Tom Morello is doing a benefit afternoon concert for the families of Renee and Alex in Minneapolis this Friday:

Jesse Welles, of course, has a short, topical song for our times, “Good vs. ICE.”

No political angle, but Jason Isbell was on Kimmel this week with band revving up his acoustic number,”Crimson and Clay.”

Not sure what the context is, but Lady Gaga seems to be rehearsing the good old Mr. Rogers theme, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” for the Super Bowl.

From Tunes to Toons

Steve Brodner:

Bramhall:

Sheneman:

Goris:

Barry Blitt:

Wolverton:

Bagley:

Photo Finish

From my camera to you, “Kestrel.”