Matt Wuerker, Politico

What did Operation Epic Fury actually achieve? A close read of Central Command's dodgy claims suggests this was no victory.

A close read of Centcom’s dodgy statistics suggests this was closer to a “capital D defeat” than (as Hegseth claimed”) “a capital V military victory.”

substack.com/@maxboot/not...

Yasmin Williams - Unwind Listen to Unwind on TIDAL

Yasmin Williams slays…

tidal.com/album/881994...

Imagine being in Iran or having family in Iran right now not knowing if they will be alive tomorrow. The horrifying anguish this is causing millions of people.

Trump's Total War Budget “More bombs, less of everything else” is a tough campaign platform.

New in PN: Trump's Total War Budget

"It points the way clearly toward a distinctively Republican vision of America — one where there's endless money for bombs while the populace is transformed into an impoverished mass of hunger and disease, emitting hoarse pleas for castoffs from oligarchs."

The 2025 budget of the National Endowment for the Arts was $210m

Pam Bondi’s portrait was taken down at DOJ and tossed in a trash bin soon after her firing. MS NOW obtained the photo. The move reflects how deeply unpopular she was among career officials. Ken Dilanian & Carol Leonnig scoop www.ms.now/news/pam-bon...

The Mythology of Pete Hegseth The Iran War cheerleader-in-chief embraces a dangerous alternate history of the 21st Century

Really good piece by @vermontgmg.bsky.social about Chuck Norris, Rambo and Pete Hegseth. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-mythol...

Just so you understand, this is as if you prepared for argument in front of a panel that included Cookie Monster, and Cookie Monster asked you a question about cookies, and you had not thought about cookies in advance.

The Strait of Hormuz Energy Shock Is About to Head to the West US government officials and Wall Street analysis are starting to consdier the prospect that oil prices might surge to an unprecedeted $200 a barrel.

"In conversations with more than three dozen oil and gas traders, executives, brokers, shippers and advisers over the last week, one message was repeated over and over: The world still hasn’t grasped the severity of the situation." -- www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

Nate Patrin Albums recommended by Nate Patrin

NEW PINNED POST

I have a lot of my most recent writing here but if you want more of it, I’m starting a running thread of favorite tracks here. (I promise not to go too berserk, but fair warning, ⚠️ I have thousands of faves ⚠️

theshfl.com/recommender/...

Jared Kushner’s Corruption Is a National Security Disaster The president’s son-in-law dragged America into a war because he only serves his conflicted interests

Change this guy's name to Hunter and MAGA would be storming the Capitol again.
open.substack.com/pub/thecause...

open.substack.com/pub/tedgioia...

This m’fer has big Colin Robinson vibes.

🧵Down by the Riverside

After creating Blue Note and Prestige Desert Island lists, I figured I'd move on to Riverside. These are my favorite LPs on the label and its subsidiary, Jazzland, plus bonus tracks that allowed me to squeeze in other favorite performances.

Trump Surprised To Find He's At War in Iran Once his not-even-half-baked plan failed to materialize in Iran, it’s clear that there’s no Plan B.

A really good piece from @vermontgmg.bsky.social abt the normalcy bias with which the press is covering Trump's utter failure to understand what he has done with the Iran war.

www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-surp...

Buster Williams - Pinnacle

Ahmad Jamal - At The Jazz Showcase: Live In Chicago

Joe Henderson - Consonance: Live At The Jazz Showcase

Roy Hargrove - Bern

Auditioning some Record Store Day releases my friend Zev Feldman has produced:
- Joe Henderson live in 1976 or so
- Ahmad Jamal live in 1976 or so
- a reissue of Buster Williams' debut as a leader
- a previously unreleased Roy Hargrove concert from 2000 or so

Sen. Markwayne Mullin challenges Teamsters leader to a fight. Bernie Sanders intervenes YouTube video by Associated Press

thinking about this video for no reason in particular

Silkroad’s Sanctuary Tour begins next week, and we’d like to invite you to join us for community programming! Workshops, community meals, jam sessions and more will accompany many of the tour dates.

Learn more: www.silkroad.org/sanctuary-free-programs

23 years old today

The Catastrophic Stupidity that May [Have] Set Off a Larger Religious Conflict - emptywheel Donald Trump started an illegal war of choice to prevent US forces from being targeted. And yet, no one considered the possibility that the Arab states hosting those US forces would themselves become ...

The Catastrophic Stupidity that May [Have] Set Off a Larger Religious Conflict

emptywheel.net/the-catastro...

David Lynch saying ‘One day, the sadness will end. But I don’t think today’s the day.’

Composer @sksnider.bsky.social's fifth full-length LP, the all-orchestral album 'Forward Into Light,' produced by Silas Brown and recorded by Metropolis Ensemble led by artistic director/conductor Andrew Cyr, is out now on New Amsterdam / Nonesuch Records: sarahkirklandsnider.lnk.to/ForwardIntoL...

STOP THE SAVE ACT (Updated) All Eyes on the Senate

STOP THE SAVE ACT (Updated)
My new piece is up with lots of info about the SAVE America Act - the version of the SAVE Act that passed the House and is before the Senate this week. This is a MUST READ and then ACT.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...

ICYMI, Roomful of Teeth & I have made an album called 'Elevator Songs.' It's set in an interdimensional hotel populated by travel influencer Jungian pop psychologist podcasters, indie rock stars dodging bombings in militarized California, hot tub enthusiasts, & more. gabrielkahane.bandcamp.com

It’s been an emotional morning. Jesse Jackson died today.

This poem he recited to these children on Sesame Street in 1973 was what America was striving towards. We can get there again.

We are all somebody.

#JesseJackson #ProudBlue

MAGA Senator Took Donation From Epstein Friend Before Key Vote Ohio Senator Jon Husted received $3,500 from Les Wexner.

MAGA Senator Took Donation From Epstein Friend Before Key Vote newrepublic.com/post/206564/... via @newrepublic.com

“We ultimately have to make sure that these criminals, and especially this administration, are brought to justice,” said @ramirez.house.gov. “And that means I want to see them behind bars. They have to be, for the sake of who we are as a nation.”

THIS IS THE ENERGY I WANT

Chuck D Schools Gene Simmons on Rock Hall, Says KISS "Don’t Have a Lot of Roll" Chuck D responded to Gene Simmons' claims that hip-hop doesn't belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, noting that KISS are all rock and "no roll."

Chuck D scoffed at Gene Simmons’ argument that hip-hop doesn’t belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Everything else other than rock, when rock ‘n’ roll splintered in the ’60s, is the roll...KISS are rock gods, but they don’t have a lot of roll to them.”

With a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a corn tortilla & revised expectations.