Glenn Kirschner – Why the Trump Org Criminal Charges May Open the Indictment Flood Gates: A Matter of Precedent
Meidas Touch – John McCain’s Private Reaction to Trump’s Attack on POWs
The Lincoln Project – Remember
The Franklin Project – Get Empowered with Close Up
Rebel HQ – Trump OUTED By BOMBSHELL Evidence! (<- I didn’t write this and don’t consider it a bombshell But it is solid.)
Founders Sing – HE’S INDICTED & IT FEELS SO GOOD
Beau – Let’s talk about DOD mandated vaccines….
I have a technician appointment for tomorrow for the phone. The computer seems to stay connected better when it is not quite as hot. News from Carrie’s appointment yesterday: “Both growths removed and sent off to lab. They are probably benign, but a little concern about one that was changing.”
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Oxfam Denounces OECD Global Tax Deal as ‘Skewed-to-the-Rich and Completely Unfair’
Quote – While some tax equity campaigners applauded the agreement as a good start, Oxfam International executive director Gabriela Bucher slammed the deal as “no more than a G7 money grab,” referring to the seven wealthy nations that have helped spearhead the talks.
Click through for story. 
to Mitch.
Crooks and Liars – Biden Quickly Nominates Diverse Slate Of Federal Judges
Quote – Thus far, Biden has tapped 32 judicial nominees, maintaining a rapid pace for both nominations and confirmations that is putting even what Sen. Mitch McConnell did on behalf of the Federalist Society and Donald Trump to shame. “That number is notable for its historical context: It puts Biden on the fastest pace for judicial confirmations in a first presidential term in more than 50 years. The last president to have seven confirmations by this point was Richard Nixon in 1969, according to a White House official,” CNN reports
Click through for details. Yes, it isn’t the Supreme Court. But it is a pool from which future justice will be drawn.and it’s a sign of a good attitude toward the Judicial Branch.
Wonkette – GOP Rep Pretty Sure Soldiers Can Just Quit Over Vaccine Requirements
Quote – There’s a wee bit of a problem with all of that though — as many people were happy to point out to Massie on Twitter, you can’t just “quit” the military, because when you sign up to join the military, you sign a contract and you are required, by actual law, to serve out your time unless otherwise dismissed by the Department of Defense. If you “quit,” that is called “going AWOL” or “desertion” and could result in “dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a one-year confinement.”
Click through for more of Wonkette’s inimitable style. Beau also has something to say on this topic in the video thread.
Food for Thought
Glenn Kirschner – 545 Insurrectionists Now Charged as New Court Filing Reveals Assault on New York Times Reporter
Now This News – Extremist Group Takes Over TikToker’s New Home 
Robert Reich – What Does Patriotism Really Mean?
The Franklin project – Bringing Civics to Life
This Tiny Kitten Grows Up Racing Around Her House Like A T-Rex
Keith Olbermann – OLBERMANN VS…THE 4TH OF JULY TRUMPIAN WHITE SUPREMACISTS PARADE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Beau – Let’s talk about the New York Times documentary about the 6th….
Housekeeping note – I am having my internet go in and out, and my phone line has so much static that it drowns out everything else, including the dial tone (and that’s loud.) If I should disappear, I’ll be back. But I’m hoping, with patience, to keep to the schedule. Sure glad I reached Squatch before this happened!
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The Hill – Doug Emhoff carves out path as first second gentleman
Quote – Emhoff has headlined regular events but still kept a low profile in the media, striking a balance between breaking barriers as the first male second spouse while also fulfilling the role in a way second ladies have done traditionally. Observers say the lack of media attention is a sign of success.
Click through for the story.
Aeon – Lies and honest mistakes
Quote – [E]ven honest journalists and careful scholars will sometimes get things wrong. Honest mistakes are made. Once flagged, these errors will be immediately corrected and acknowledged; there might be some hard questions asked about process failures, too. But there’s a very big difference between an error and a lie – and between ‘fake news’ and ‘false news’. A fake is always false, and was intended to be. But a falsehood is not always a fake; it could simply be a mistake.
Click through and maybe bookmark. This understanding is how I was brought up, and it seems to me that it’s not the way that most people think. But I think it’s important for us to strive for and, maybe more importantly, to protect ourselves against increasingly effective ways of spreading falsehoods.
AP News – Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter mark 75 years of ‘full partnership’
Quote – Carter has said often since leaving the Oval Office in 1981 that the most important decision he ever made wasn’t as head of state, commander in chief or even executive officer of a nuclear submarine in the early years of the Cold War. Rather, it was falling for Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in 1945 and marrying her the following summer. “My biggest secret is to marry the right person if you want to have a long-lasting marriage,” Carter said.
Click through for more. Many things in the news today will continue to be in the news. But it will be a long time before we see anything like this again. (P.S. George Burns said essentially the same thing – “Marry Gracie.”)
Food for Thought
I’m not trying to throw shade on Canada. It could just ae easily been a picture of the US – or anywhere, really.
Glenn Kirschner – Trump’s Statements at FLA Rally Can be Used as Incriminating Evidence in DA Vance’s Tax Prosecution
The Lincoln Project – Independence Day
Now This News – Birds Aren’t Real Movement Says Birds Are Government Drones
Vote Vets – Independence
The Franklin Project – Organization Spotlight: Raise Your Voice with Deliberations.US (This is a model which works – but which requires people to participate.)
Woman Gives Toys to a Wild Magpie — and He Invites His Friends Over to Play
Beau – Let’s talk about the DHS bulletin….
Last night’s opera was “Akhnaten,” the third in Philip Glass’s “Portrait Trilogy. In his case, it seems to be the first one – “Einstein on the Beach” – which doesn’t get heard and I don’t know why not. Anyway. Akhnaten was the Pharaoh who tried to eradicate polytheism in favor of monotheism of the sun god, Aten. It did not go well. The role is written for a counter tenor (God’s gift to composers who want to write for characters who are in some way androgynous – and also to revivals of Baroque and early Classical opera filled with “trouser roles.” This one is Anthony Roth Costanzo who comes across as avery sweet person, and those who know him confirm that. He had thyroid surgery, and had to grapple with the possibility of not being able to sing any more – and came to peace with the thought that as long as he could do something to make people happy, that would be acceptable. (Fortunately he is still singing – including at Santa Fe this summer in a world premier.) The libretto of Akhnaten is in ancient languages when possible and random syllables when not, with the exception of the “Hymn to the Sun,” which is to be sung in the primary local language wherever it it performed. Here’s an analysis of why (in case anyone cares.) Akhnaten is the last “American Composer” opera. Next week is Strauss week (Richard, not Johann, sorry) and there’s only one – well, maybe two – I’ll want to see so I’ll try to be more on top of things.
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The New Yorker – Marjorie Taylor Greene Reports Sightings of Jewish Space Lasers Across U.S.
Quote – Greene said that the “increased Jewish-space-laser activity” was a matter of deep concern, although she was not certain of the lasers’ purpose. “You’ll have to ask the Rothschilds that,” she said. “But it can’t be anything good.”
Click through for details and photo.
Axios – Biden launches effort to bring back deported veterans (about GD time)
Quote – “The Department of Homeland Security recognizes the profound commitment and sacrifice that service members and their families have made to the United States of America,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Friday.
Click through for a little more.
Washington Examiner – White supremacist marchers ‘ran away’ from Philly residents, police say
Quote – “They started engaging with citizens of Philadelphia, who were none too happy about what they were saying. These males felt threatened, and at one point, somebody threw a smoke bomb to cover their retreat, and they literally ran away from the people of Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Police Officer Michael Crum told reporters.
Click through for story.
Food for Thought
Bonus video – Lona suggested this on the 3rd, and between my internet going in and out and some other things, I didn’t get it up then. So here it is now.
Glenn Kirschner – Legal Recap For June 2021: June Started w/Trump Saying He’ll Be Reinstalled, Ended w/Indictments
Meidas Touch – Trump Organization Indictments Show Company is “One Gigantic Ponzi Scheme”
Thom [Hartmann] Reveals Way To Push Democratic Party Left
Rebel HQ – Cop Abandons Black Woman Being Threatened With Gun
Beau – Let’s talk about Ecocide, a new proposed international law….
Just for the holiday – Disney’s Celebrate America Fourth of July Fireworks at The Magic Kingdom
‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?’: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass’ Speech
Last night’s opera was “The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny” by Kurt Weill. Weill died an American composer, but when this was written and premiered, he had never even cnsidered coming to America – he was still working in Germany with Bertolt Brecht. So I think it’s iffy to call this “by an American composer.” However, it is – sort of – set in the US (though you’d be hard put to figure out exactly where.) With the llibretto by Brecht (translated of course) it’s a stunning indictment of capitalism. But I don’t suppose RWNJ’s would watch opera much, and those who did wouldn’t get it. Over a decade ago, LA Opera put it on with Patti Lupone and Audra MacDonald, and that version was aired on PBS “Great Performances.” I think it plays best when the character of Jimmy is played by someone sweet and vulnerable, and that is hard to find. Here’s a small taste, without Jimmy, but with Patti Lupone.
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Short Takes – trying for good news so we can relax on a holiday.
Axios – FBI begins arresting individuals who attacked journalists on Jan. 6
Quote – The big picture: The government’s crackdown against attacks on reporters marks a changing of the tide, where journalists are starting to feel that there is some renewed protection after a year of attacks.
Click through for more
A nice editorial from the Miami Herald
Biden’s small gesture toward DeSantis highlighted the president’s human touch
Quote – After almost 18 months of a highly politicized response — or maybe non-response — to the deadly coronavirus, in this state and others across the nation, it is breathtaking to see Florida’s Republican Gov. DeSantis standing shoulder to shoulder with political rival, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz one day, and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava on another — both Democrats. But a photo of our governor, sitting next to our president who, as he talks to local leaders, lightly places his hand on DeSantis arm, is the most moving of all.
Click through for more niceness.
The concert “A Capitol Fourth,” which is produced by the same people who produce the National Memorial Day Concert, will be broadcast today. My personal opinon is that the Memorial Day Concert is always better, generally much better, but that’s because the Memorial Day Concert goes so deep into the lives and issues of veterans, service members, and their families. the Capitol Fourth is more of a party. Parties bore me (except the Democratic Party OL). But if they don’t bore you, it should be excellent.
Click through for television listings, a trailer, a couple pf previews, a link to FAQs, a link to history, and more.
Food for Thought
In case anyone has been worried about Lynn Squance, after a few tries I was able to speak with her yesterday. We talked about an hour. She is – as fine as pretty much anyne in our age group can claim, and has been (and will be) very involved in political action regarding the events referenced in this article It’s very time consuming but we may eventually start to hear about it if and when it lets up enough to have writing time.