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!
Jimmy last night still mocking The Donald:
NY Times this morning:
A report by the Pentagon’s acting inspector general has concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of a private messaging app to discuss upcoming airstrikes by U.S. forces into Yemen earlier this year risked endangering American troops, according to two people familiar with its findings. The report, which is scheduled to be released publicly on Thursday, scrutinized Mr. Hegseth’s participation in a group chat on the Signal messaging app with several other senior Trump administration officials that became public because a journalist who was inadvertently added wrote about it.
and:
New York Times Sues Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights
The lawsuit said the Defense Department’s new set of rules for journalists “violates the Constitution’s guarantees of due process, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.”
Heather Cox Richardson:
The declining fortunes of MAGA Republicans are widening the rifts in the party. Annie Karni of the New York Times reported today on House Republicans’ anger at Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who has defended the priorities of President Donald J. Trump at the expense of the interests of Republican lawmakers. Johnson’s letting Trump call the shots means the House has accomplished very little apart from passing the budget reconciliation bill Republicans call the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a law the American people appear to hate.
Although Republicans hold the majority in the House, Johnson has kept the members subservient to Trump’s demands.
BREAKING, as they say:
Federal agents on Thursday arrested a suspect in Virginia on charges of having planted two pipe bombs near the Capitol on the night before Jan. 6, 2021, according to people familiar with the matter. The suspect’s identity remained unclear. Neither device exploded, but their discovery added to the fear on the day a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol.
Steve Cropper and his Stax of Hits
One of the greatest, and most influential, rock ‘n soul guitarists ever, Steve Cropper, has died at 84. Of course he was a member of Booker T and the MGs but that hardly hints at all of the others he played behind and in some cases produced at their peak, at Stax and beyond: Otis, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Carla Thomas, and so many more. “Play it, Steve!” was shouted out in Sam and Dave’s “Soul Man.” The Beatles loved him; so did Keith Richards and countless others. He appeared in both Blues Brother movies. The list of his session credits includes this range: Big Star, Levon Helm, Peter Frampton, Etta James, John Lennon, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, John Prine, Paul Simon and Mavis Staples.
Often overlooked was his songwriting prowess. He wrote or co-wrote, among many others, these four, enough to put him in any sort of music Hall of Fame even without considering his guitar work:
Sam & Dave, “Hold On, I’m Comin” (see him playing behind them on right):
Here’s Steve backing Tom Jones a few years ago on his song with Otis, “(Sittin on) The Dock of the Bay.”
Wilson Pickett, “In the Midnight Hour.”
And, of course, the immortal “Green Onions”
From Tunes to Toons
Ohman:
Goris:
Bramhall:
Brodner:
Davies:
Moudakis:
Jon Adams: “Hey, Kids! Get Yer Epstein Files Activity Fun Page!”
Photo Finish
From my camera to you: “Fats Domino’s House, 9th Ward, New Orleans, Restored After Katrina”
Good music (Steve Cropper: what a career!) and cartoon selections.
RIP Steve Cropper
Great tunes and toons!