News junkie, editor, faculty spouse, author of “Book Collecting Now.”
I mean, the DoJ was *always* going to drop this case—it was a question of how much embarrassment Jeanine Pirro would inflict upon herself first
Trump administration drops Reflecting Pool case, blaming damage on ‘botched’ installationThe Justice Department said “it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt.”www.nbcnews.comNext Trump will suggest scientists, journalists, and professors
What are 'Freedom Haulers?' White House wants veterans to replace immigrant truckersThe Trump administration wants to replace the tens of thousands of immigrant truck drivers who lost their licenses in a crackdown this year with veterans.www.wbaltv.comStartling to see this story. Several tracks from Linda Perhacs' 1970 album PARALLELOGRAMS have been in heavy rotation in our lives for a quarter century.
Linda Perhacs, Experimental Folk Singer, Is Reported Missing (Gift Article)Friends of the influential psychedelic folk songwriter said they had been unable to reach her since her discharge from a care facility eight months ago.www.nytimes.com@khadeejasafdar.bsky.social modeled how to accept congratulations from a president who doxxed her
Glenn Kessler—-> open.substack.com/pub/glennkes...
No way would Marco Rubio allow foreign visitors into the United States on an explicit mission to undermine the Trump administration, so I hope these MAGA operatives aren’t too disappointed at being denied the chance to do the same in Brazil.
Brazil denies visas to U.S. officials who aimed to impugn electoral systemThe U.S. delegation had planned to visit the Brazilian capital and cast doubt on the integrity of the voting system before a presidential election this fall, officials said.www.washingtonpost.com“In a rambling hour-long speech, Trump insulted journalists by name, repurposed old nicknames for political opponents, made a strange number of fat jokes that weren’t funny at all, and sounded mad at his unnamed writers for giving him weak material to work with.” Oof.
Brian StelterSome of Trump's remarks were "vicious," as press secretary Karoline Leavitt promised. But more than anything, his speech was just… boring. And boring is one thing Trump never, ever wants to be. My analysis for CNN: www.cnn.com/2026/07/25/m...
@philipkennicott.bsky.social: “At this point in his second term, Trump is creating something even more dangerous than governance by whim. Lurking in this case, and in a major proposed rule change…is an effort to erase the nation’s physical culture, its man-made, natural and cultural wonders.”
Column | Trump’s plan to paint the Eisenhower is about more than damaging stoneThe administration’s proposal risks harming both the historic building and the system of reviews that protects structures like it.www.washingtonpost.com"We changed the terms of the Deal." Least trustworthy negotiator EVER
Aaron RuparTrump: “Canada disinvited the US to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial TARIFFS, but the original Deal on the Bridge, which was terribly negotiated by a previous Administration, no longer stands. We changed terms so that the US now gets 50%”
At least a 50% chance that Trump thinks he can sell the Saudis the “nuclear dust” he plans to take from Iran
U.S. signs nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that gives it path to enriching fuelThe agreement with a kingdom signaling it wants a nuclear weapon has sparked alarm among nonproliferation experts. Congress has 90 days to act on the deal.www.washingtonpost.comI can testify that looking up '90s concerts and inputting them in Encore is as pleasurable a timesuck as doing films on Letterboxd and books on Goodreads was!
adam offitzerhere we go: just launched Encore, the "letterboxd/goodreads/beli for concerts" platform i've been building. log all your shows, share your photos + videos, follow friends + tastemakers, and relive your favorite moments. it's invite-only for now — sign up here: encoreconcerts.fm
Republican senators think Kari Lake (!) and Doug Mastriano (!!) are good diplomatic representatives of the United States
Senators vote to advance Lake, Mastriano nominationsSen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) had threatened to block the two Trump nominees ahead of the hearing.www.politico.comNeal Stephenson, "The Diamond Age: or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer" (1995)
Aaron RuparBurgum says data centers could "provide a personalized tutor for every kid in every school district in your state"
So the overt war against Iran has failed and we’re on to plan B
Aaron RuparKUDLOW: Why shouldn't we have a covert war against Iran the way Reagan conducted a covert war against Soviet communism? RON JOHNSON: I think we should
"Not the warmest of receptions"
Adam SchwarzTrump and Infantino are loudly jeered as they walk out to present the World Cup trophy.
candidate Trump: "No! More forever wars in the Middle East!"
Trump is edging towards another American ‘forever war’ in Iran | CNNIt is the ultimate sanction. But somehow for President Donald Trump – who once sought a Nobel Peace Prize for ending wars – military force has become a casual measure, a kind of background effect used...www.cnn.com