Greg Mitchell has authored more than a dozen books (see most of them here) and directed four recent PBS films. Subscribing to this newsletter is still FREE—so if you want to help fund, maybe purchase one of my books, thanks!
Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case
Juan Orlando Hernández was accused of receiving millions in bribes and partnering with cocaine traffickers. He was convicted in Manhattan in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Heather Cox Richardson on another Trump holiday weekend announcement:
The idea of stripping some of the country’s 24.5 million naturalized citizens of their citizenship changes the nature of what it means to be an American. As Faiza Patel and Margy O’Herron of the Brennan Center noted last month, from 1990 to 2017 only about 11 people a year lost their citizenship, usually for having hidden serious criminal activity or human rights violations in applying for citizenship. In contrast, observers today note that when Hitler came to power in 1933, the German government began to strip Jews, as well as Roma and political opponents, of their German citizenship, paving the way for the confiscation of their property, their rights, and eventually their lives
On a happier note, we fully endorse the new Stephen and Evie Colbert Late Show Book Club selection of Niall Willliams’ “This Is Happiness.” One of best-written novels ever, find it, check it out.
We also loved the “Hamnet” novel and anxious to see the new movie although aware that it has earned some criticism. What many complain as overly familiar is the swelling excerpt from the great—but over-used—Max Richter musical piece “On the Nature of Daylight” already heard in at least half a dozen movies or TV series. But we first experienced it many years ago repeatedly and hauntingly on the soundtrack for a gripping documentary “The Rape of Recy Taylor” —in a mashup with the classic Dinah Washington song, “This Bitter Earth.” So here it is:
Interesting pairing in a new album and tour and in this segment from Jimmy Fallon show the other night: The Avett Brothers with indie legend singer Mike Patton, but combined are now known as AVTT/PTTN. Song here is “Eternal Love.”
And another Americana grouping here, just posted, as Nathaniel Rateliff is joined by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings for “Center of Me.”
From Tunes to Toons
Two from Michael de Adder
Tjeerd Royaards
Vasco Gargalo
Photo Finish
“Lighthouse in the Afternoon Fog, Truro, MA.”
Thank you, Greg once again
The Michael de Adder political cartoon hits the nail on the head
Love David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, saw them at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium in Des Moines
Stephen and Evie Colbert are the Best
Really appreciate your columns. highlight of my day
Gracias, Mi Amigo
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