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!
John Oliver last night tackled Trump pal and Hungary strongman Viktor Orban, now in danger of losing upcoming elections.
Paul Krugman’s take today:
Today, however, there really is a coalition of regimes and political movements that one can justifiably call an axis of evil — a coalition that is bound together by a shared hatred for democracy and freedom. Call it the Axis of Autocracy. The most important players in that axis are Vladimir Putin; Viktor Orbán in Hungary; right-wing European political movements like Germany’s neo-Nazi AfD; and, of course, the Trump administration. And unlike Bush’s imaginary grouping, the Axis of Autocracy is a true alliance.
Allies, after all, help each other in times of need. And that’s what Trump is doing for Viktor Orbán. Despite Orbánist control of the Hungarian media and extensive electoral rigging, Fidesz, Orbán’s party, is at serious risk of losing power in the next election. So Trump is rushing to its aid with extravagant statements of support, as you can see in the Truth Social post above. Beyond that, JD Vance will be visiting Hungary, in effect to campaign for Fidesz, just a few days before the election.
Reuters: Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars http://reut.rs/4tA1Tov
Meanwhile, from The Economist, as Trump this morning with his usual market manipulation claims of peace is near, while threatening massive war crimes.
Iran is now earning nearly twice as much from oil sales each day as it did before American and Israeli bombs started falling on February 28th. It may be pummelled on the battlefield, but the regime is winning the energy war.
ABC: “More Republicans are retiring ahead of the midterms than at any point in nearly a century, according to an ABC News tally of retirement announcements and a review of historical data since 1930 compiled by the Brookings Institution.”
Fun graphic that goes with NY Times probe on Trump ballroom plans:
Liked this, from No Kings on Saturday:
Music Picks
Joni Mitchell was awarded a lifetime achievement prize at the ceremony for the leading Canadian music awards, the Junos, over the weekend and here is part of her acceptance speech, where she talks about how her aneurysm a dozen years ago changed her life for the better, even beyond “quitting smoking.”
And fellow Canadians, Allison Russell and Sarah McLachlan, performed a Joni medley.
We’ve told you Flea has now taken up the trumpet and has a new album, here is a cut with Nick Cave singing “Wichita Lineman.”
From Tunes to Toons
Bramhall:
deAdder:
Wuerker:
Photo Finish
Impatiently awaiting their return, in about five weeks
Thanks for all the great stuff! Paul Krugman’s take: so true, and so horrible.
Thanks for the Joni Mitchell & Flea....man, I can't believe I don't have that album yet. Love Nike Drake...and doing Wichita Lineman, come on!