Sunday Cartoons!

Plus, David Bowie and Natalie Merchant re-consider America, and the return of "Wolf Hall"--plus, will more European countries to nuclear?

Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre.” Now watch trailer for acclaimed 2025 film “The Atomic Bowl.” Before all that, he was a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy. At Blue Sky and Twitter: as @gregmitch. You can still subscribe to this newsletter for FREE. Sustain this newsletter by ordering one of his books.

Don’t know who posted this first, but bravo. Labeled: “Earliest known image of Keith Richards.'“ Only missing: Lady Jane.

Here come Kid Rock and Ted Nugent, Sylvester Stallone and Scott Baio:

When President Trump was criticized by some of the artists who were recognized at the annual Kennedy Center Honors program during his first term, he responded by boycotting the show, breaking with decades of precedent. Now, as he leads a sweeping takeover of the Kennedy Center in his second term, Mr. Trump is seeking changes that will allow him greater sway in the selection of honorees, according to two people briefed on the matter who were granted anonymity to describe confidential discussions.

Mr. Trump, who is now the chairman of the Kennedy Center, is scheduled to speak at a meeting of its board on Monday afternoon, when proposed changes to the honors advisory committee will be on the agenda, according to the individuals and a copy of the agenda that was obtained by The New York Times.

Then there’s this:

And earlier this week: Polish President Duda proposed that US nuclear warheads be deployed on Polish soil: “Russia did not even hesitate when they were relocating their nuclear weapons into Belarus….They didn’t ask anyone’s permission.”

Oh, well, at least a Spinal Tap sequel is coming in September.

But arriving just one week from tonight: long-delayed second and final season of one of the best series of this century, “Wolf Hall,” on PBS. With the great Mark Rylance as Cromwell and Damian Lewis as his King. No Claire Foy this time, though—at the end of the previous season, she got carried away and lost her head. Or vice versa. Trailer:

Now to our music picks: From David Bowie live (on record it was with Pat Metheny), “This Is Not America.”

Little piece of you
The little peace in me
Will die (This is not a miracle)
For this is not America

Blossom fails to bloom this season
Promise not to stare
Too long (This is not America)
For this is not the miracle

And also live, Natalie Merchant, “Motherland”:

From Tunes to Toons

John Cuneo, the well-known artist for The New Yorker and The Atlantic, posted yesterday: “Sometimes, when I need a quick laugh, I google this guy trying (and failing) to pronounce the name of one of our National Parks—while reading a speech about National Parks. Note: this also works if you need a good cry.” (P.S.: Trump pronounced it “Yo! Semite!”)