Orbán rode to power on resentment over the economic stagnation that developed under center-left governments. But he leaves office with Hungarians facing falling wages and higher inflation than similar countries are experiencing. Orbán’s sectarianism and intolerance have sparked neither a religious revival nor a fertility bump; Hungary’s population is shrinking and has become more irreligious, even as Orbán has demonized LGBTQ people, “Muslim invaders,” and Jews. Orbánism, in short, did not make Hungarians more rich, Christian, or free—unless you happened to be one of Orbán’s buddies, in which case you may have gotten rich. As most Hungarians felt their economic circumstances worsen, Orbán provided them with relatively powerless targets to hate.

Orban made grand appeals to “Christianity” and “Western Civilization,” but his “illiberal democracy” was just a scam, a way to make him and his buddies rich while subjecting Hungarians to stagnation and robbing them of their freedom. Sound familiar? (Gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

These people are not nearly as smart as they think they are…

I didn't become bitter, mean or close-minded despite all the people who treated me poorly

I edited a long, nuanced investigative piece on a local developer who was doing all sorts of barely legal stuff and trying to pack the city council. There were lawyers involved and everything. And it ran in the Sept 11, 2001, paper. He must have had an ironclad deal with satan.

This is it: the perfect metaphor for my dating life.

This is very nice work. And kind of chilling.

Exterior of Kennedy Center with addition of Trump’s name

“The revolution conquers the folk and public life, it stamps its mark on culture, the economy, politics, and private life. It would be naive to believe that art could be spared this …”

— Joseph Goebbels, 1933

Photo by Jacquelyn Martin

The Godfather 1 - Michael and Kay, final scene YouTube video by Maude M

Farewell to Diane Keaton. RIP

youtu.be/_tmKRk2AIJI?...

I can’t imagine how late you had to stay up to write the Taylor Swift review…

Russo complained about him flying to San Jose rather than SFO, but the stadium is right next to San Jose airport.

a rainbow colored shooting star with the words the mo you know above it ALT: a rainbow colored shooting star with the words the mo you know above it

Rich people, especially rich people in the media & entertainment industries right this moment:

The point of having fuck you money is saying “fuck you” when it counts.

There will be a point at the trials when the prosecutors are going to want to prove a depraved indifference to human life, and man are they going to be spoiled for material.

Statement from Post Guild Leadership: The Washington Post Guild condemns the unjust firing of columnist Karen Attiah

Seeing the bigots at the bad place using Demetre Daskalakis’s sexuality against him really pisses me off. The man is a public health hero.

They really, really hate gay people.

The DeSantis administration currently has at least seven Florida Highway Patrol troopers just on anti-chalk duty: Two watching from a Dunkin Donuts next door and five more parked in the lot right behind them.

I found this very thoughtful. I hope you get the future you want. We need you out there.

Shoulda been meatball marinara. Imagine the stains.

No matter your interpretation of the categorical imperative, we can’t have a functioning society if lying isn’t penalized.

I’m particularly struck by the irony that marrying a woman, arguably one of the major signifiers of heterosexuality, can make you gay! Who knew?

No kidding. I still think he needs to get faster and stronger, but he has the tools and the vision for sure.

LOVED Costas on the NBC intros, but it's time to pass the baton. There are people in the new generation who could do this if their network would let them.

Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Official Audio) YouTube video by SlyATFamilyStoneVEVO

Just hit play and be transported. RIP

youtu.be/NOa5UOHdwnc?...

It will be a huge change, and in some ways for the better, I just worry that for people in their and 40s and 50s who aren't ready to retire and don't have time to rebuild their careers will spend their golden years in the poorhouse.

Yup. Absolutely terrific book.

Well, now! That must have been a surprise…

Same goes for a lot of coaches.

Take 15 minutes out of your day and read this eloquent rebuttal to a very common white response to DEI programs. One of the most odious arguments of the current political moment is that white men are the worst victims of discrimination. We are not.

I always thought that slim fit suits and shirts were a way to make even skinny dudes look like they were wearing sausage casing.