#warrenzevon — Public Fediverse posts

You know I went to the doctor
Said I'm feelin kinda rough
"Let me break it to you, son
Your shit's fucked up"

I said My shit's fucked up?
I don't see how! He said
"The shit that used to work
Won't work now"

#warrenzevon #enjoyeverysandwich #middleage

You know I went to the doctor
Said I'm feelin kinda rough
"Let me break it to you, son
Your shit's fucked up"

I said My shit's fucked up?
I don't see how! He said
"The shit that used to work
Won't work now"

#warrenzevon #enjoyeverysandwich #middleage

You know I went to the doctor
Said I'm feelin kinda rough
"Let me break it to you, son
Your shit's fucked up"

I said My shit's fucked up?
I don't see how! He said
"The shit that used to work
Won't work now"

#warrenzevon #enjoyeverysandwich #middleage

You know I went to the doctor
Said I'm feelin kinda rough
"Let me break it to you, son
Your shit's fucked up"

I said My shit's fucked up?
I don't see how! He said
"The shit that used to work
Won't work now"

#warrenzevon #enjoyeverysandwich #middleage

You know I went to the doctor
Said I'm feelin kinda rough
"Let me break it to you, son
Your shit's fucked up"

I said My shit's fucked up?
I don't see how! He said
"The shit that used to work
Won't work now"

#warrenzevon #enjoyeverysandwich #middleage

WARREN ZEVON
Excitable Boy
1978 Canada pressing

The man, the myth, the legend gets last spin of the night.

Truly one of the greatest songwriters to ever walk the Earth, and a flawless album front to back.
It’s actually quite embarrassing.
There isn’t a song on this record that’s not great.
Not GOOD…
GREAT.

A true one of a kind talent the likes we’ll never see or hear again.

If you’ve never seen it, go on YouTube and watch his final appearance on Letterman.
Zevon was dying, and Dave gave him the WHOLE show that night.

Even on death’s door, he performed immaculately, and in the interview was funny, self-deprecating and fully the Warren we’ve always known.
It’s a remarkable and incredibly emotional watch.

Excitable boy, they all said.

He sure was.

Just the greatest.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #warrenzevon #1970s #70s #70smusic #excitableboy #classicalbums

WARREN ZEVON
Excitable Boy
1978 Canada pressing

The man, the myth, the legend gets last spin of the night.

Truly one of the greatest songwriters to ever walk the Earth, and a flawless album front to back.
It’s actually quite embarrassing.
There isn’t a song on this record that’s not great.
Not GOOD…
GREAT.

A true one of a kind talent the likes we’ll never see or hear again.

If you’ve never seen it, go on YouTube and watch his final appearance on Letterman.
Zevon was dying, and Dave gave him the WHOLE show that night.

Even on death’s door, he performed immaculately, and in the interview was funny, self-deprecating and fully the Warren we’ve always known.
It’s a remarkable and incredibly emotional watch.

Excitable boy, they all said.

He sure was.

Just the greatest.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #warrenzevon #1970s #70s #70smusic #excitableboy #classicalbums

WARREN ZEVON
Excitable Boy
1978 Canada pressing

The man, the myth, the legend gets last spin of the night.

Truly one of the greatest songwriters to ever walk the Earth, and a flawless album front to back.
It’s actually quite embarrassing.
There isn’t a song on this record that’s not great.
Not GOOD…
GREAT.

A true one of a kind talent the likes we’ll never see or hear again.

If you’ve never seen it, go on YouTube and watch his final appearance on Letterman.
Zevon was dying, and Dave gave him the WHOLE show that night.

Even on death’s door, he performed immaculately, and in the interview was funny, self-deprecating and fully the Warren we’ve always known.
It’s a remarkable and incredibly emotional watch.

Excitable boy, they all said.

He sure was.

Just the greatest.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #warrenzevon #1970s #70s #70smusic #excitableboy #classicalbums

WARREN ZEVON
Excitable Boy
1978 Canada pressing

The man, the myth, the legend gets last spin of the night.

Truly one of the greatest songwriters to ever walk the Earth, and a flawless album front to back.
It’s actually quite embarrassing.
There isn’t a song on this record that’s not great.
Not GOOD…
GREAT.

A true one of a kind talent the likes we’ll never see or hear again.

If you’ve never seen it, go on YouTube and watch his final appearance on Letterman.
Zevon was dying, and Dave gave him the WHOLE show that night.

Even on death’s door, he performed immaculately, and in the interview was funny, self-deprecating and fully the Warren we’ve always known.
It’s a remarkable and incredibly emotional watch.

Excitable boy, they all said.

He sure was.

Just the greatest.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #warrenzevon #1970s #70s #70smusic #excitableboy #classicalbums

WARREN ZEVON
Excitable Boy
1978 Canada pressing

The man, the myth, the legend gets last spin of the night.

Truly one of the greatest songwriters to ever walk the Earth, and a flawless album front to back.
It’s actually quite embarrassing.
There isn’t a song on this record that’s not great.
Not GOOD…
GREAT.

A true one of a kind talent the likes we’ll never see or hear again.

If you’ve never seen it, go on YouTube and watch his final appearance on Letterman.
Zevon was dying, and Dave gave him the WHOLE show that night.

Even on death’s door, he performed immaculately, and in the interview was funny, self-deprecating and fully the Warren we’ve always known.
It’s a remarkable and incredibly emotional watch.

Excitable boy, they all said.

He sure was.

Just the greatest.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #warrenzevon #1970s #70s #70smusic #excitableboy #classicalbums

@lawyersgunsnmoney
Look what I did! Some new work apparel.
#WarrenZevon
#ExcitableBoy

@lawyersgunsnmoney
Look what I did! Some new work apparel.
#WarrenZevon
#ExcitableBoy

@lawyersgunsnmoney
Look what I did! Some new work apparel.
#WarrenZevon
#ExcitableBoy

@lawyersgunsnmoney
Look what I did! Some new work apparel.
#WarrenZevon
#ExcitableBoy

@lawyersgunsnmoney
Look what I did! Some new work apparel.
#WarrenZevon
#ExcitableBoy

"Excitable Boy" by Warren Zevon released this day in 1978.
"And his hair was perfect"
#WarrenZevon #ExcitableBoy

"Excitable Boy" by Warren Zevon released this day in 1978.
"And his hair was perfect"
#WarrenZevon #ExcitableBoy

"Excitable Boy" by Warren Zevon released this day in 1978.
"And his hair was perfect"
#WarrenZevon #ExcitableBoy

"Excitable Boy" by Warren Zevon released this day in 1978.
"And his hair was perfect"
#WarrenZevon #ExcitableBoy

"Excitable Boy" by Warren Zevon released this day in 1978.
"And his hair was perfect"
#WarrenZevon #ExcitableBoy

Excitable Boy https://robinbannks.com/2026/01/18/57265/ #70sRock, #ExcitableBoy, #Legends, #SingerSongwriter, #WarrenZevon

Zevon releases his third studio album on January 18, 1978. Excitable Boy was co-produced by Jackson Browne and Waddy Wachtel and reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, ultimately being certified platinum. It becomes his signature album. Excitable Boy, they all said.

Excitable Boy https://robinbannks.com/2026/01/18/57265/ #70sRock, #ExcitableBoy, #Legends, #SingerSongwriter, #WarrenZevon

Zevon releases his third studio album on January 18, 1978. Excitable Boy was co-produced by Jackson Browne and Waddy Wachtel and reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, ultimately being certified platinum. It becomes his signature album. Excitable Boy, they all said.

Excitable Boy https://robinbannks.com/2026/01/18/57265/ #70sRock, #ExcitableBoy, #Legends, #SingerSongwriter, #WarrenZevon

Zevon releases his third studio album on January 18, 1978. Excitable Boy was co-produced by Jackson Browne and Waddy Wachtel and reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, ultimately being certified platinum. It becomes his signature album. Excitable Boy, they all said.

Mostly Monday Reads: Life in the Time of Cruelty

“The end is nigh. Gas prices haven’t dropped, electric bills have gone up, groceries are ridiculous, a year later, Putin is still killing Ukrainians, there is no peace in the Middle East, tariff costs are still passed on to consumers, America is once again the laughing stock of the world, need I say more?” John Buss, @repeat1968

Good Day, Sky Dancers!

There has been another bit of good news to complement last week’s. However, we cannot let our guard down or our actions slacken. Even a few battles won will not end a war. Today, the Supreme Court dismissed a case to overturn its landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

There is a distinct possibility that a stronger attempt may be underway, so vigilance is necessary. More analysis is likely to come out as court watchers ponder the decision.

This is from the AP’s Mark Sherman. “Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.” The dissenting voices hint that more compelling cases may come before them.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower-court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple denied a marriage license.

Her lawyers repeatedly invoked the words of Justice Clarence Thomas, who alone among the nine justices has called for erasing the same-sex marriage ruling.

Thomas was among four dissenting justices in 2015. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito are the other dissenters who are on the court today.

Roberts has been silent on the subject since he wrote a dissenting opinion in the case. Alito has continued to criticize the decision, but he said recently he was not advocating that it be overturned.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was not on the court in 2015, has said that there are times when the court should correct mistakes and overturn decisions, as it did in the 2022 case that ended a constitutional right to abortion

But Barrett has suggested recently that same-sex marriage might be in a different category than abortion because people have relied on the decision when they married and had children.

The basis of Davis’ complaint may be the reason why the religious fanatics placed on SCOTUS by extreme right-wing theocrats might have been encouraged to wait for a more direct call to overrule Obergfell. This is explained in this NBC News analysis by Lawrence Hurley.

But reconsidering Obergefell was not the main legal question presented in Davis’ appeal.

Although the court has a 6-3 conservative majority, none of the other justices joined Thomas’ opinion.

Just last month, Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the abortion ruling, indicated he was not pushing for Obergefell to be overturned.

Davis, represented by the conservative group Liberty Counsel, refused to issue any marriage licenses in the immediate aftermath of the Obergefell decision. She said that as a conservative Christian who opposed same-sex marriage, she should have a religious right not to put her name on marriage licenses involving same-sex couples.

Her office in Rowan County, Kentucky, denied licenses to several such couples, including David Moore and David Ermold, who subsequently filed a civil rights lawsuit.

Davis was ordered to issue a license for Moore and Ermold, but defied the court injunction and still refused to do so. The judge then held her in contempt, and she was jailed for six days.

While she was jailed, Moore and Ermold were able to obtain their marriage license.

Subsequently, the state changed the law in order to address the controversy, allowing for a license to be issued without the clerk’s name on it.

But Davis’ case continued, with Moore and Ermold seeking damages for the initial refusal.

After lengthy litigation, a jury awarded $100,000 in damages. Davis was also required to pay $260,000 in attorney’s fees, according to her lawyers.

Davis then appealed, claiming that she should have been able to cite as a defense her right to the free exercise of religion under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

After losing an appeal at the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March this year, Davis turned to the Supreme Court, raising that question, as well as the much more contentious issue of whether Obergefell should be overturned.

While the Supreme Court has for now given no indication it would seek to overturn Obergefell, it has in other rulings in the last decade strengthened religious rights at the expense of LGBTQ rights, including by expanding the ability of people to seek exemptions from laws they object to because of their faith.

Are they just waiting for a better case to come along? That is the question from me and others. Only time will tell.

The other big headline is the end of the government shutdown. The circumstances surrounding the resolution are far from ideal. There are a large number of articles expressing anger and disgust at the actions of eight Democrats in cutting this deal. It’s quite challenging to keep up with the decline of the world’s once-great democracy. This is the headline from Politico‘s Katherine Tully-McManus. “The 8 Senate Democratic Caucus members who voted to end the shutdown. There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse.”

Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus broke ranks Sunday and voted to advance a deal to reopen the federal government.

That’s fewer than the 10 Democrats who broke ranks in March to advance a previous GOP-led stopgap funding bill — a move that sparked a huge backlash against Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse this time. Some of them helped broker the agreement with Republicans over the opposition of Schumer and most other Democrats, who wanted a guaranteed extension for expiring federal health insurance subsidies.

Most, but not all, previously held state-level office — including four former governors. Most, but not all, come from presidential swing states. Two have announced they are retiring from the Senate after their current terms end, and two are senior members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

None are up for reelection in 2026.

More on these eight senators at the link. There are numerous punditry thoughts on what is being called “The Great Cave-in.”  This first take is from MSNBC’s Steve Benen.  “As the Senate advances a plan to end the government shutdown, what happens now? As the shutdown continued, the pieces were in place for Democrats to stand firm in support of a popular cause. Eight senators folded anyway.”

As the ongoing government shutdown was poised to begin in late September, three members of the Senate Democratic caucus — Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman and Maine’s Angus King — broke party ranks and voted with the Republican majority to prevent the breakdown. That gave GOP leaders 55 votes, five short of the 60-vote threshold.

At that point, the Republican plan, in a nutshell, could be summarized in one word: wait.

GOP leaders, in the White House and on Capitol Hill, assumed that just enough Senate Democrats would cave under pressure. Those assumptions proved true. MSNBC reported overnight:

After nearly six weeks of a painful shutdown, a critical number of Senate Democrats backed a Republican funding bill to reopen government — with little to show for holding out so long. The breakthrough, which came together suddenly on day 40 of the shutdown, offers Democrats few new concessions beyond what Republicans had already proposed.

There’s quite a bit to this, so let’s unpack the details.

Is the shutdown over?

Not yet. The Sunday-night vote in the Senate was a procedural vote to advance a bill intended to end the shutdown. It received 60 votes, but the underlying legislation still needs to pass.

Who caved?

In addition to Cortez Masto, Fetterman and King, who’ve consistently voted with Republicans to end the shutdown, five other Senate Democrats sided with the GOP on the procedural vote: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jackie Rosen of Nevada and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. (Durbin and Shaheen, it’s worth noting for context, are retiring at the end of their current terms.) Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, meanwhile, voted with most Democrats against the package.

Did they get anything in exchange for their votes?

Not much. The deal, to the extent that it can fairly be described as such, includes three full-year appropriations bills to fund some federal departments through the end of the fiscal year and money to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It also reverses Donald Trump’s shutdown layoffs (also known as “reduction in force” notifications, or RIFs).

What about the Affordable Care Act, which was largely the point of the shutdown?

Republicans promised Democrats there will soon be a vote on extending the expiring ACA subsidies.

For health care advocates, does this offer some reason for hope?

Not really. Even if there is a vote, there’s no reason to assume it will pass the GOP-led chamber. And even if it were to pass, there’s no guarantee that the Republican-led House would care.

So why in the world did these eight senators cave?

According to King, it was time to surrender because the status quo “wasn’t working.”

This final analysis is by Sarah Ewall-Wice, writing at The Daily Beast. “Dems Skewer ‘Trainwreck’ Schumer for Caving Over Shutdown. WHAT THE CHUCK?! The Senate minority leader is facing calls to resign despite his “no” vote.”

Democrats from across the political spectrum are livid with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after a group of Senate Democrats caved and reached a deal with Republicans to end the government shutdown.

Schumer, 74, came out against the bipartisan plan and voted against moving it forward in the Senate on Sunday night.

However, eight Democrats joined Republicans in a 60-40 vote to proceed, sparking turmoil within the party.

“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership. If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare,” wrote Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, who is challenging Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey in the primary.

He called on Markey to join him in a pledge not to vote for Schumer as Senate leader.

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz posted an image of Schumer photoshopped into the Amy Schumer movie ‘Trainwreck’ with the caption “Different Schumer, same title.”

“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” wrote progressive Rep. Ro Khanna. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

He replied that he was a “fan” of Sen. Chris Van Hollen in response to political commentator Krystal Ball’s suggestion that he should become the leader.

We know what or who the basic problem is. Who wouldn’t love a Substack titled “Are you f’ng kidding me?” That’s a daily question around here these days. This is the brainchild of JoJoFromJerz. The title is even hotter. “Portrait of a Man Who Doesn’t Give a Fuck. Starring: indifference, ego, and forty-two million people he is actively fighting to starve.” Yup, are president is the ultimate example of Anti-social Personality Disorder.” He comes replete with a lifetime of examples. And there’s that photo that keeps showing up everywhere, including this blog when I peeled it on Monday.

This photo should be hung in the Louvre of moral decay.

Look at it. The tableau is so absurd it feels storyboarded by Voldemort and Liberace’s real estate LLC. A man collapses on the floor where presidents once ended wars and launched moon missions. Now the room has all the gravitas of a Vegas timeshare bathroom, festooned with Chinese-made American flags marinated in Drakkar Noir. It’s as if history’s most consequential decisions are now being made in the world’s tackiest escape room.

Aides kneel. Hands reach. Chaos unfolds.

And Donald Trump just stands there — bored, irritated, visibly put-out — like the collapse in front of him is a personal scheduling conflict. His face isn’t concern. It is inconvenience.

His jaw hangs open in that dopey, defeated pout you only see when a chain-steakhouse diner learns their “Buy One Get One Ribeye” coupon expired yesterday. His eyes aren’t searching for a pulse; they’re searching for the nearest camera.

He’s not seeking help. He’s seeking a close-up.

If Dante were alive today, he wouldn’t write The Inferno. He’d pitch a reality show called Keeping Up With the Collapse and hiss to the crew, “We don’t need CGI. Just let him talk.”

The entire scene looks like Norman Rockwell painted The Death of Empathy, directed by Jeffrey Dahmer and executive produced by Satan. Hang this next to The Scream and the painting would lean over and whisper, Is that guy okay.

It feels like someone pitched, What if Succession had a baby with Idiocracy and then handed the baby the nuclear codes. It should not be funny. But it is. It should not be real. And yet here we are.

Because this photo is not merely symbolic of who he is.

This is who he is.

A convicted felon. Found liable for sexual abuse in a court of law. A man whose closest approximation to empathy is jabbing the close door button in an elevator while someone sprints toward it.

This is who Donald Trump is.

He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

A man collapses behind him. Just as our country has been collapsing behind him for the entirety of this second so-called term.

And he doesn’t give a fuck.

He is not thinking, Is that man okay. He is thinking, How dare he steal my scene.

This is who Donald Trump is.

He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

He isn’t numb to suffering—he feeds on it. Suffering is his currency, his spotlight, his scepter. Every ounce of pain around him inflates his sense of importance. He doesn’t create, build, or inspire; he only knows how to conquer by making others smaller, hungrier, emptier. His power is measured in what he can take away. He is a parasite of misery, thriving on the wounds he inflicts.

Go read the entire post. She’s right. He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself. And here’s more evidence, as Trump pardons all of those election-denying cronies while possibly looking forward to handing one to that miserable sex-trafficking ghoul Gislane Maxwell. The first article comes from Politico‘s Kyle Cheney. “Trump pardons top allies who aided bid to subvert the 2020 election. Pardon recipients include Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, John Eastman and dozens more.” I weep for justice in my country today.

President Donald Trump has pardoned a long list of prominent allies who backed his effort to subvert the 2020 election, according to Justice Department Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, who posted the relevant document Sunday night.

Among those who received the “full, complete and unconditional” pardons were Rudy Giuliani, who helped lead an effort to pressure state legislatures to reject Joe Biden’s victories in key swing states; Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff in 2020 and a crucial go-between for Trump and state officials; John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro, two attorneys who helped devise a strategy to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election on Jan. 6, 2021; Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump adviser; and Sidney Powell, a conservative attorney who launched a fringe legal assault on election results in key swing states.

The pardons are largely symbolic — none of those identified were charged with federal crimes. The document posted by Martin is also undated, so it’s unclear when Trump signed it. The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Giuliani, Eastman and Powell were among those identified by former special counsel Jack Smith as Trump’s co-conspirators, though he never brought charges against them. The pardons would preclude any future administration from potentially pursuing a criminal case against them.

The language of the pardon is broad, applying to “all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting activities, participation in or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of presidential electors … as well for any conduct relating to their efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in the 2020 presidential election.”

Though Trump has long insisted he has the power to pardon himself for federal crimes — an untested proposition — it appears he is not yet prepared to test that theory. Though the pardon document indicates it could apply to others who fit the same criteria, it explicitly excludes Trump.

In addition to his inner circle, Trump pardoned dozens of GOP activists who signed paperwork falsely claiming to be legitimate presidential electors, a key component of the bid to pressure Pence.

Regarding the potential pardon for Maxwell, this information comes from Scott MacFarlane of CBS News. “Ghislaine Maxwell plans to ask Trump to commute prison sentence, House Democrats say.”

Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking co-conspirator, is planning to apply for a commutation of her federal prison sentence, which is set to run through 2037, according to documents obtained by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee and seen by CBS News.

In a letter to President Trump on Monday, also seen by CBS News, Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote that Maxwell “is preparing a ‘Commutation Application’ for your Administration to review, undoubtedly coming to you for your direct consideration. The Warden herself is directly helping Ms. Maxwell copy, print, and send documents related to this application.”

The letter says the information received demonstrates “either that Ms. Maxwell is herself requesting you release her from her 20-year prison sentence for her role as a co-conspirator in Jeffrey Epstein’s international child sex trafficking ring, or that this child sex predator now holds such tremendous sway in the second Trump Administration that you and your DOJ will follow her clemency recommendations.”

The letter also alleges that Maxwell is receiving preferential and lenient treatment at the Bryan federal prison camp in Texas, where she was transferred over the summer after meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss the Epstein case.

“Federal law enforcement staff working at the camp have been waiting on Ms. Maxwell hand and foot,” says the letter signed by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

It appears that something needs to be done to address the fundamental nature of the Presidential Pardon. It’s supposed to be the last chance at justice for the wrongly accused. It was never supposed to be an article of power handed to an autocrat to rewrite the guilt and punishment of evil minions.

I’ve also been crying and listening to Warren Zevon songs since his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as featured on David Letterman. I love his lyrical melodies and his strong rhythms and beats. His lyrics tell stories that are both funny and sad, full of vivid characters. I have finally uncovered the underlying sadness behind most of his lyrics and can no longer unhear them. They’ve burrowed into my heart. And so, I cry, which is quite uncharacteristic for me. But then, it seems American life these days requires tears.

What’s on your Reading, Action, and Blogging list today?

#JohnbussBskySocialJohnBuss #DonaldTrumpOnlyCaresAboutHimself #HastenDownTheWind #KimDavis #ObergefellVHodges #sameSexMarriageJudicialDecisions #SCOTUS #SenateDemocratsCave #TrumpPardons #WarrenZevon

Mostly Monday Reads: Life in the Time of Cruelty

“The end is nigh. Gas prices haven’t dropped, electric bills have gone up, groceries are ridiculous, a year later, Putin is still killing Ukrainians, there is no peace in the Middle East, tariff costs are still passed on to consumers, America is once again the laughing stock of the world, need I say more?” John Buss, @repeat1968

Good Day, Sky Dancers!

There has been another bit of good news to complement last week’s. However, we cannot let our guard down or our actions slacken. Even a few battles won will not end a war. Today, the Supreme Court dismissed a case to overturn its landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

There is a distinct possibility that a stronger attempt may be underway, so vigilance is necessary. More analysis is likely to come out as court watchers ponder the decision.

This is from the AP’s Mark Sherman. “Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.” The dissenting voices hint that more compelling cases may come before them.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower-court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple denied a marriage license.

Her lawyers repeatedly invoked the words of Justice Clarence Thomas, who alone among the nine justices has called for erasing the same-sex marriage ruling.

Thomas was among four dissenting justices in 2015. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito are the other dissenters who are on the court today.

Roberts has been silent on the subject since he wrote a dissenting opinion in the case. Alito has continued to criticize the decision, but he said recently he was not advocating that it be overturned.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was not on the court in 2015, has said that there are times when the court should correct mistakes and overturn decisions, as it did in the 2022 case that ended a constitutional right to abortion

But Barrett has suggested recently that same-sex marriage might be in a different category than abortion because people have relied on the decision when they married and had children.

The basis of Davis’ complaint may be the reason why the religious fanatics placed on SCOTUS by extreme right-wing theocrats might have been encouraged to wait for a more direct call to overrule Obergfell. This is explained in this NBC News analysis by Lawrence Hurley.

But reconsidering Obergefell was not the main legal question presented in Davis’ appeal.

Although the court has a 6-3 conservative majority, none of the other justices joined Thomas’ opinion.

Just last month, Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the abortion ruling, indicated he was not pushing for Obergefell to be overturned.

Davis, represented by the conservative group Liberty Counsel, refused to issue any marriage licenses in the immediate aftermath of the Obergefell decision. She said that as a conservative Christian who opposed same-sex marriage, she should have a religious right not to put her name on marriage licenses involving same-sex couples.

Her office in Rowan County, Kentucky, denied licenses to several such couples, including David Moore and David Ermold, who subsequently filed a civil rights lawsuit.

Davis was ordered to issue a license for Moore and Ermold, but defied the court injunction and still refused to do so. The judge then held her in contempt, and she was jailed for six days.

While she was jailed, Moore and Ermold were able to obtain their marriage license.

Subsequently, the state changed the law in order to address the controversy, allowing for a license to be issued without the clerk’s name on it.

But Davis’ case continued, with Moore and Ermold seeking damages for the initial refusal.

After lengthy litigation, a jury awarded $100,000 in damages. Davis was also required to pay $260,000 in attorney’s fees, according to her lawyers.

Davis then appealed, claiming that she should have been able to cite as a defense her right to the free exercise of religion under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

After losing an appeal at the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March this year, Davis turned to the Supreme Court, raising that question, as well as the much more contentious issue of whether Obergefell should be overturned.

While the Supreme Court has for now given no indication it would seek to overturn Obergefell, it has in other rulings in the last decade strengthened religious rights at the expense of LGBTQ rights, including by expanding the ability of people to seek exemptions from laws they object to because of their faith.

Are they just waiting for a better case to come along? That is the question from me and others. Only time will tell.

The other big headline is the end of the government shutdown. The circumstances surrounding the resolution are far from ideal. There are a large number of articles expressing anger and disgust at the actions of eight Democrats in cutting this deal. It’s quite challenging to keep up with the decline of the world’s once-great democracy. This is the headline from Politico‘s Katherine Tully-McManus. “The 8 Senate Democratic Caucus members who voted to end the shutdown. There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse.”

Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus broke ranks Sunday and voted to advance a deal to reopen the federal government.

That’s fewer than the 10 Democrats who broke ranks in March to advance a previous GOP-led stopgap funding bill — a move that sparked a huge backlash against Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse this time. Some of them helped broker the agreement with Republicans over the opposition of Schumer and most other Democrats, who wanted a guaranteed extension for expiring federal health insurance subsidies.

Most, but not all, previously held state-level office — including four former governors. Most, but not all, come from presidential swing states. Two have announced they are retiring from the Senate after their current terms end, and two are senior members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

None are up for reelection in 2026.

More on these eight senators at the link. There are numerous punditry thoughts on what is being called “The Great Cave-in.”  This first take is from MSNBC’s Steve Benen.  “As the Senate advances a plan to end the government shutdown, what happens now? As the shutdown continued, the pieces were in place for Democrats to stand firm in support of a popular cause. Eight senators folded anyway.”

As the ongoing government shutdown was poised to begin in late September, three members of the Senate Democratic caucus — Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman and Maine’s Angus King — broke party ranks and voted with the Republican majority to prevent the breakdown. That gave GOP leaders 55 votes, five short of the 60-vote threshold.

At that point, the Republican plan, in a nutshell, could be summarized in one word: wait.

GOP leaders, in the White House and on Capitol Hill, assumed that just enough Senate Democrats would cave under pressure. Those assumptions proved true. MSNBC reported overnight:

After nearly six weeks of a painful shutdown, a critical number of Senate Democrats backed a Republican funding bill to reopen government — with little to show for holding out so long. The breakthrough, which came together suddenly on day 40 of the shutdown, offers Democrats few new concessions beyond what Republicans had already proposed.

There’s quite a bit to this, so let’s unpack the details.

Is the shutdown over?

Not yet. The Sunday-night vote in the Senate was a procedural vote to advance a bill intended to end the shutdown. It received 60 votes, but the underlying legislation still needs to pass.

Who caved?

In addition to Cortez Masto, Fetterman and King, who’ve consistently voted with Republicans to end the shutdown, five other Senate Democrats sided with the GOP on the procedural vote: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jackie Rosen of Nevada and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. (Durbin and Shaheen, it’s worth noting for context, are retiring at the end of their current terms.) Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, meanwhile, voted with most Democrats against the package.

Did they get anything in exchange for their votes?

Not much. The deal, to the extent that it can fairly be described as such, includes three full-year appropriations bills to fund some federal departments through the end of the fiscal year and money to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It also reverses Donald Trump’s shutdown layoffs (also known as “reduction in force” notifications, or RIFs).

What about the Affordable Care Act, which was largely the point of the shutdown?

Republicans promised Democrats there will soon be a vote on extending the expiring ACA subsidies.

For health care advocates, does this offer some reason for hope?

Not really. Even if there is a vote, there’s no reason to assume it will pass the GOP-led chamber. And even if it were to pass, there’s no guarantee that the Republican-led House would care.

So why in the world did these eight senators cave?

According to King, it was time to surrender because the status quo “wasn’t working.”

This final analysis is by Sarah Ewall-Wice, writing at The Daily Beast. “Dems Skewer ‘Trainwreck’ Schumer for Caving Over Shutdown. WHAT THE CHUCK?! The Senate minority leader is facing calls to resign despite his “no” vote.”

Democrats from across the political spectrum are livid with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after a group of Senate Democrats caved and reached a deal with Republicans to end the government shutdown.

Schumer, 74, came out against the bipartisan plan and voted against moving it forward in the Senate on Sunday night.

However, eight Democrats joined Republicans in a 60-40 vote to proceed, sparking turmoil within the party.

“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership. If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare,” wrote Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, who is challenging Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey in the primary.

He called on Markey to join him in a pledge not to vote for Schumer as Senate leader.

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz posted an image of Schumer photoshopped into the Amy Schumer movie ‘Trainwreck’ with the caption “Different Schumer, same title.”

“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” wrote progressive Rep. Ro Khanna. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

He replied that he was a “fan” of Sen. Chris Van Hollen in response to political commentator Krystal Ball’s suggestion that he should become the leader.

We know what or who the basic problem is. Who wouldn’t love a Substack titled “Are you f’ng kidding me?” That’s a daily question around here these days. This is the brainchild of JoJoFromJerz. The title is even hotter. “Portrait of a Man Who Doesn’t Give a Fuck. Starring: indifference, ego, and forty-two million people he is actively fighting to starve.” Yup, are president is the ultimate example of Anti-social Personality Disorder.” He comes replete with a lifetime of examples. And there’s that photo that keeps showing up everywhere, including this blog when I peeled it on Monday.

This photo should be hung in the Louvre of moral decay.

Look at it. The tableau is so absurd it feels storyboarded by Voldemort and Liberace’s real estate LLC. A man collapses on the floor where presidents once ended wars and launched moon missions. Now the room has all the gravitas of a Vegas timeshare bathroom, festooned with Chinese-made American flags marinated in Drakkar Noir. It’s as if history’s most consequential decisions are now being made in the world’s tackiest escape room.

Aides kneel. Hands reach. Chaos unfolds.

And Donald Trump just stands there — bored, irritated, visibly put-out — like the collapse in front of him is a personal scheduling conflict. His face isn’t concern. It is inconvenience.

His jaw hangs open in that dopey, defeated pout you only see when a chain-steakhouse diner learns their “Buy One Get One Ribeye” coupon expired yesterday. His eyes aren’t searching for a pulse; they’re searching for the nearest camera.

He’s not seeking help. He’s seeking a close-up.

If Dante were alive today, he wouldn’t write The Inferno. He’d pitch a reality show called Keeping Up With the Collapse and hiss to the crew, “We don’t need CGI. Just let him talk.”

The entire scene looks like Norman Rockwell painted The Death of Empathy, directed by Jeffrey Dahmer and executive produced by Satan. Hang this next to The Scream and the painting would lean over and whisper, Is that guy okay.

It feels like someone pitched, What if Succession had a baby with Idiocracy and then handed the baby the nuclear codes. It should not be funny. But it is. It should not be real. And yet here we are.

Because this photo is not merely symbolic of who he is.

This is who he is.

A convicted felon. Found liable for sexual abuse in a court of law. A man whose closest approximation to empathy is jabbing the close door button in an elevator while someone sprints toward it.

This is who Donald Trump is.

He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

A man collapses behind him. Just as our country has been collapsing behind him for the entirety of this second so-called term.

And he doesn’t give a fuck.

He is not thinking, Is that man okay. He is thinking, How dare he steal my scene.

This is who Donald Trump is.

He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

He isn’t numb to suffering—he feeds on it. Suffering is his currency, his spotlight, his scepter. Every ounce of pain around him inflates his sense of importance. He doesn’t create, build, or inspire; he only knows how to conquer by making others smaller, hungrier, emptier. His power is measured in what he can take away. He is a parasite of misery, thriving on the wounds he inflicts.

Go read the entire post. She’s right. He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself. And here’s more evidence, as Trump pardons all of those election-denying cronies while possibly looking forward to handing one to that miserable sex-trafficking ghoul Gislane Maxwell. The first article comes from Politico‘s Kyle Cheney. “Trump pardons top allies who aided bid to subvert the 2020 election. Pardon recipients include Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, John Eastman and dozens more.” I weep for justice in my country today.

President Donald Trump has pardoned a long list of prominent allies who backed his effort to subvert the 2020 election, according to Justice Department Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, who posted the relevant document Sunday night.

Among those who received the “full, complete and unconditional” pardons were Rudy Giuliani, who helped lead an effort to pressure state legislatures to reject Joe Biden’s victories in key swing states; Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff in 2020 and a crucial go-between for Trump and state officials; John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro, two attorneys who helped devise a strategy to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election on Jan. 6, 2021; Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump adviser; and Sidney Powell, a conservative attorney who launched a fringe legal assault on election results in key swing states.

The pardons are largely symbolic — none of those identified were charged with federal crimes. The document posted by Martin is also undated, so it’s unclear when Trump signed it. The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Giuliani, Eastman and Powell were among those identified by former special counsel Jack Smith as Trump’s co-conspirators, though he never brought charges against them. The pardons would preclude any future administration from potentially pursuing a criminal case against them.

The language of the pardon is broad, applying to “all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting activities, participation in or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of presidential electors … as well for any conduct relating to their efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in the 2020 presidential election.”

Though Trump has long insisted he has the power to pardon himself for federal crimes — an untested proposition — it appears he is not yet prepared to test that theory. Though the pardon document indicates it could apply to others who fit the same criteria, it explicitly excludes Trump.

In addition to his inner circle, Trump pardoned dozens of GOP activists who signed paperwork falsely claiming to be legitimate presidential electors, a key component of the bid to pressure Pence.

Regarding the potential pardon for Maxwell, this information comes from Scott MacFarlane of CBS News. “Ghislaine Maxwell plans to ask Trump to commute prison sentence, House Democrats say.”

Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking co-conspirator, is planning to apply for a commutation of her federal prison sentence, which is set to run through 2037, according to documents obtained by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee and seen by CBS News.

In a letter to President Trump on Monday, also seen by CBS News, Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote that Maxwell “is preparing a ‘Commutation Application’ for your Administration to review, undoubtedly coming to you for your direct consideration. The Warden herself is directly helping Ms. Maxwell copy, print, and send documents related to this application.”

The letter says the information received demonstrates “either that Ms. Maxwell is herself requesting you release her from her 20-year prison sentence for her role as a co-conspirator in Jeffrey Epstein’s international child sex trafficking ring, or that this child sex predator now holds such tremendous sway in the second Trump Administration that you and your DOJ will follow her clemency recommendations.”

The letter also alleges that Maxwell is receiving preferential and lenient treatment at the Bryan federal prison camp in Texas, where she was transferred over the summer after meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss the Epstein case.

“Federal law enforcement staff working at the camp have been waiting on Ms. Maxwell hand and foot,” says the letter signed by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

It appears that something needs to be done to address the fundamental nature of the Presidential Pardon. It’s supposed to be the last chance at justice for the wrongly accused. It was never supposed to be an article of power handed to an autocrat to rewrite the guilt and punishment of evil minions.

I’ve also been crying and listening to Warren Zevon songs since his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as featured on David Letterman. I love his lyrical melodies and his strong rhythms and beats. His lyrics tell stories that are both funny and sad, full of vivid characters. I have finally uncovered the underlying sadness behind most of his lyrics and can no longer unhear them. They’ve burrowed into my heart. And so, I cry, which is quite uncharacteristic for me. But then, it seems American life these days requires tears.

What’s on your Reading, Action, and Blogging list today?

#JohnbussBskySocialJohnBuss #DonaldTrumpOnlyCaresAboutHimself #HastenDownTheWind #KimDavis #ObergefellVHodges #sameSexMarriageJudicialDecisions #SCOTUS #SenateDemocratsCave #TrumpPardons #WarrenZevon

Mostly Monday Reads: Life in the Time of Cruelty

“The end is nigh. Gas prices haven’t dropped, electric bills have gone up, groceries are ridiculous, a year later, Putin is still killing Ukrainians, there is no peace in the Middle East, tariff costs are still passed on to consumers, America is once again the laughing stock of the world, need I say more?” John Buss, @repeat1968

Good Day, Sky Dancers!

There has been another bit of good news to complement last week’s. However, we cannot let our guard down or our actions slacken. Even a few battles won will not end a war. Today, the Supreme Court dismissed a case to overturn its landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

There is a distinct possibility that a stronger attempt may be underway, so vigilance is necessary. More analysis is likely to come out as court watchers ponder the decision.

This is from the AP’s Mark Sherman. “Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.” The dissenting voices hint that more compelling cases may come before them.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower-court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple denied a marriage license.

Her lawyers repeatedly invoked the words of Justice Clarence Thomas, who alone among the nine justices has called for erasing the same-sex marriage ruling.

Thomas was among four dissenting justices in 2015. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito are the other dissenters who are on the court today.

Roberts has been silent on the subject since he wrote a dissenting opinion in the case. Alito has continued to criticize the decision, but he said recently he was not advocating that it be overturned.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was not on the court in 2015, has said that there are times when the court should correct mistakes and overturn decisions, as it did in the 2022 case that ended a constitutional right to abortion

But Barrett has suggested recently that same-sex marriage might be in a different category than abortion because people have relied on the decision when they married and had children.

The basis of Davis’ complaint may be the reason why the religious fanatics placed on SCOTUS by extreme right-wing theocrats might have been encouraged to wait for a more direct call to overrule Obergfell. This is explained in this NBC News analysis by Lawrence Hurley.

But reconsidering Obergefell was not the main legal question presented in Davis’ appeal.

Although the court has a 6-3 conservative majority, none of the other justices joined Thomas’ opinion.

Just last month, Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the abortion ruling, indicated he was not pushing for Obergefell to be overturned.

Davis, represented by the conservative group Liberty Counsel, refused to issue any marriage licenses in the immediate aftermath of the Obergefell decision. She said that as a conservative Christian who opposed same-sex marriage, she should have a religious right not to put her name on marriage licenses involving same-sex couples.

Her office in Rowan County, Kentucky, denied licenses to several such couples, including David Moore and David Ermold, who subsequently filed a civil rights lawsuit.

Davis was ordered to issue a license for Moore and Ermold, but defied the court injunction and still refused to do so. The judge then held her in contempt, and she was jailed for six days.

While she was jailed, Moore and Ermold were able to obtain their marriage license.

Subsequently, the state changed the law in order to address the controversy, allowing for a license to be issued without the clerk’s name on it.

But Davis’ case continued, with Moore and Ermold seeking damages for the initial refusal.

After lengthy litigation, a jury awarded $100,000 in damages. Davis was also required to pay $260,000 in attorney’s fees, according to her lawyers.

Davis then appealed, claiming that she should have been able to cite as a defense her right to the free exercise of religion under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

After losing an appeal at the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March this year, Davis turned to the Supreme Court, raising that question, as well as the much more contentious issue of whether Obergefell should be overturned.

While the Supreme Court has for now given no indication it would seek to overturn Obergefell, it has in other rulings in the last decade strengthened religious rights at the expense of LGBTQ rights, including by expanding the ability of people to seek exemptions from laws they object to because of their faith.

Are they just waiting for a better case to come along? That is the question from me and others. Only time will tell.

The other big headline is the end of the government shutdown. The circumstances surrounding the resolution are far from ideal. There are a large number of articles expressing anger and disgust at the actions of eight Democrats in cutting this deal. It’s quite challenging to keep up with the decline of the world’s once-great democracy. This is the headline from Politico‘s Katherine Tully-McManus. “The 8 Senate Democratic Caucus members who voted to end the shutdown. There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse.”

Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus broke ranks Sunday and voted to advance a deal to reopen the federal government.

That’s fewer than the 10 Democrats who broke ranks in March to advance a previous GOP-led stopgap funding bill — a move that sparked a huge backlash against Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse this time. Some of them helped broker the agreement with Republicans over the opposition of Schumer and most other Democrats, who wanted a guaranteed extension for expiring federal health insurance subsidies.

Most, but not all, previously held state-level office — including four former governors. Most, but not all, come from presidential swing states. Two have announced they are retiring from the Senate after their current terms end, and two are senior members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

None are up for reelection in 2026.

More on these eight senators at the link. There are numerous punditry thoughts on what is being called “The Great Cave-in.”  This first take is from MSNBC’s Steve Benen.  “As the Senate advances a plan to end the government shutdown, what happens now? As the shutdown continued, the pieces were in place for Democrats to stand firm in support of a popular cause. Eight senators folded anyway.”

As the ongoing government shutdown was poised to begin in late September, three members of the Senate Democratic caucus — Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman and Maine’s Angus King — broke party ranks and voted with the Republican majority to prevent the breakdown. That gave GOP leaders 55 votes, five short of the 60-vote threshold.

At that point, the Republican plan, in a nutshell, could be summarized in one word: wait.

GOP leaders, in the White House and on Capitol Hill, assumed that just enough Senate Democrats would cave under pressure. Those assumptions proved true. MSNBC reported overnight:

After nearly six weeks of a painful shutdown, a critical number of Senate Democrats backed a Republican funding bill to reopen government — with little to show for holding out so long. The breakthrough, which came together suddenly on day 40 of the shutdown, offers Democrats few new concessions beyond what Republicans had already proposed.

There’s quite a bit to this, so let’s unpack the details.

Is the shutdown over?

Not yet. The Sunday-night vote in the Senate was a procedural vote to advance a bill intended to end the shutdown. It received 60 votes, but the underlying legislation still needs to pass.

Who caved?

In addition to Cortez Masto, Fetterman and King, who’ve consistently voted with Republicans to end the shutdown, five other Senate Democrats sided with the GOP on the procedural vote: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jackie Rosen of Nevada and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. (Durbin and Shaheen, it’s worth noting for context, are retiring at the end of their current terms.) Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, meanwhile, voted with most Democrats against the package.

Did they get anything in exchange for their votes?

Not much. The deal, to the extent that it can fairly be described as such, includes three full-year appropriations bills to fund some federal departments through the end of the fiscal year and money to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It also reverses Donald Trump’s shutdown layoffs (also known as “reduction in force” notifications, or RIFs).

What about the Affordable Care Act, which was largely the point of the shutdown?

Republicans promised Democrats there will soon be a vote on extending the expiring ACA subsidies.

For health care advocates, does this offer some reason for hope?

Not really. Even if there is a vote, there’s no reason to assume it will pass the GOP-led chamber. And even if it were to pass, there’s no guarantee that the Republican-led House would care.

So why in the world did these eight senators cave?

According to King, it was time to surrender because the status quo “wasn’t working.”

This final analysis is by Sarah Ewall-Wice, writing at The Daily Beast. “Dems Skewer ‘Trainwreck’ Schumer for Caving Over Shutdown. WHAT THE CHUCK?! The Senate minority leader is facing calls to resign despite his “no” vote.”

Democrats from across the political spectrum are livid with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after a group of Senate Democrats caved and reached a deal with Republicans to end the government shutdown.

Schumer, 74, came out against the bipartisan plan and voted against moving it forward in the Senate on Sunday night.

However, eight Democrats joined Republicans in a 60-40 vote to proceed, sparking turmoil within the party.

“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership. If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare,” wrote Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, who is challenging Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey in the primary.

He called on Markey to join him in a pledge not to vote for Schumer as Senate leader.

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz posted an image of Schumer photoshopped into the Amy Schumer movie ‘Trainwreck’ with the caption “Different Schumer, same title.”

“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” wrote progressive Rep. Ro Khanna. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

He replied that he was a “fan” of Sen. Chris Van Hollen in response to political commentator Krystal Ball’s suggestion that he should become the leader.

We know what or who the basic problem is. Who wouldn’t love a Substack titled “Are you f’ng kidding me?” That’s a daily question around here these days. This is the brainchild of JoJoFromJerz. The title is even hotter. “Portrait of a Man Who Doesn’t Give a Fuck. Starring: indifference, ego, and forty-two million people he is actively fighting to starve.” Yup, are president is the ultimate example of Anti-social Personality Disorder.” He comes replete with a lifetime of examples. And there’s that photo that keeps showing up everywhere, including this blog when I peeled it on Monday.

This photo should be hung in the Louvre of moral decay.

Look at it. The tableau is so absurd it feels storyboarded by Voldemort and Liberace’s real estate LLC. A man collapses on the floor where presidents once ended wars and launched moon missions. Now the room has all the gravitas of a Vegas timeshare bathroom, festooned with Chinese-made American flags marinated in Drakkar Noir. It’s as if history’s most consequential decisions are now being made in the world’s tackiest escape room.

Aides kneel. Hands reach. Chaos unfolds.

And Donald Trump just stands there — bored, irritated, visibly put-out — like the collapse in front of him is a personal scheduling conflict. His face isn’t concern. It is inconvenience.

His jaw hangs open in that dopey, defeated pout you only see when a chain-steakhouse diner learns their “Buy One Get One Ribeye” coupon expired yesterday. His eyes aren’t searching for a pulse; they’re searching for the nearest camera.

He’s not seeking help. He’s seeking a close-up.

If Dante were alive today, he wouldn’t write The Inferno. He’d pitch a reality show called Keeping Up With the Collapse and hiss to the crew, “We don’t need CGI. Just let him talk.”

The entire scene looks like Norman Rockwell painted The Death of Empathy, directed by Jeffrey Dahmer and executive produced by Satan. Hang this next to The Scream and the painting would lean over and whisper, Is that guy okay.

It feels like someone pitched, What if Succession had a baby with Idiocracy and then handed the baby the nuclear codes. It should not be funny. But it is. It should not be real. And yet here we are.

Because this photo is not merely symbolic of who he is.

This is who he is.

A convicted felon. Found liable for sexual abuse in a court of law. A man whose closest approximation to empathy is jabbing the close door button in an elevator while someone sprints toward it.

This is who Donald Trump is.

He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

A man collapses behind him. Just as our country has been collapsing behind him for the entirety of this second so-called term.

And he doesn’t give a fuck.

He is not thinking, Is that man okay. He is thinking, How dare he steal my scene.

This is who Donald Trump is.

He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

He isn’t numb to suffering—he feeds on it. Suffering is his currency, his spotlight, his scepter. Every ounce of pain around him inflates his sense of importance. He doesn’t create, build, or inspire; he only knows how to conquer by making others smaller, hungrier, emptier. His power is measured in what he can take away. He is a parasite of misery, thriving on the wounds he inflicts.

Go read the entire post. She’s right. He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself. And here’s more evidence, as Trump pardons all of those election-denying cronies while possibly looking forward to handing one to that miserable sex-trafficking ghoul Gislane Maxwell. The first article comes from Politico‘s Kyle Cheney. “Trump pardons top allies who aided bid to subvert the 2020 election. Pardon recipients include Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, John Eastman and dozens more.” I weep for justice in my country today.

President Donald Trump has pardoned a long list of prominent allies who backed his effort to subvert the 2020 election, according to Justice Department Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, who posted the relevant document Sunday night.

Among those who received the “full, complete and unconditional” pardons were Rudy Giuliani, who helped lead an effort to pressure state legislatures to reject Joe Biden’s victories in key swing states; Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff in 2020 and a crucial go-between for Trump and state officials; John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro, two attorneys who helped devise a strategy to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election on Jan. 6, 2021; Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump adviser; and Sidney Powell, a conservative attorney who launched a fringe legal assault on election results in key swing states.

The pardons are largely symbolic — none of those identified were charged with federal crimes. The document posted by Martin is also undated, so it’s unclear when Trump signed it. The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Giuliani, Eastman and Powell were among those identified by former special counsel Jack Smith as Trump’s co-conspirators, though he never brought charges against them. The pardons would preclude any future administration from potentially pursuing a criminal case against them.

The language of the pardon is broad, applying to “all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting activities, participation in or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of presidential electors … as well for any conduct relating to their efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in the 2020 presidential election.”

Though Trump has long insisted he has the power to pardon himself for federal crimes — an untested proposition — it appears he is not yet prepared to test that theory. Though the pardon document indicates it could apply to others who fit the same criteria, it explicitly excludes Trump.

In addition to his inner circle, Trump pardoned dozens of GOP activists who signed paperwork falsely claiming to be legitimate presidential electors, a key component of the bid to pressure Pence.

Regarding the potential pardon for Maxwell, this information comes from Scott MacFarlane of CBS News. “Ghislaine Maxwell plans to ask Trump to commute prison sentence, House Democrats say.”

Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking co-conspirator, is planning to apply for a commutation of her federal prison sentence, which is set to run through 2037, according to documents obtained by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee and seen by CBS News.

In a letter to President Trump on Monday, also seen by CBS News, Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote that Maxwell “is preparing a ‘Commutation Application’ for your Administration to review, undoubtedly coming to you for your direct consideration. The Warden herself is directly helping Ms. Maxwell copy, print, and send documents related to this application.”

The letter says the information received demonstrates “either that Ms. Maxwell is herself requesting you release her from her 20-year prison sentence for her role as a co-conspirator in Jeffrey Epstein’s international child sex trafficking ring, or that this child sex predator now holds such tremendous sway in the second Trump Administration that you and your DOJ will follow her clemency recommendations.”

The letter also alleges that Maxwell is receiving preferential and lenient treatment at the Bryan federal prison camp in Texas, where she was transferred over the summer after meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss the Epstein case.

“Federal law enforcement staff working at the camp have been waiting on Ms. Maxwell hand and foot,” says the letter signed by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

It appears that something needs to be done to address the fundamental nature of the Presidential Pardon. It’s supposed to be the last chance at justice for the wrongly accused. It was never supposed to be an article of power handed to an autocrat to rewrite the guilt and punishment of evil minions.

I’ve also been crying and listening to Warren Zevon songs since his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as featured on David Letterman. I love his lyrical melodies and his strong rhythms and beats. His lyrics tell stories that are both funny and sad, full of vivid characters. I have finally uncovered the underlying sadness behind most of his lyrics and can no longer unhear them. They’ve burrowed into my heart. And so, I cry, which is quite uncharacteristic for me. But then, it seems American life these days requires tears.

What’s on your Reading, Action, and Blogging list today?

#JohnbussBskySocialJohnBuss #DonaldTrumpOnlyCaresAboutHimself #HastenDownTheWind #KimDavis #ObergefellVHodges #sameSexMarriageJudicialDecisions #SCOTUS #SenateDemocratsCave #TrumpPardons #WarrenZevon

If you haven’t seen The Killers’ performance of “Lawyers, Guns, and Money” from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of Warren Zevon, you need to. #WarrenZevon
#TheKillers #Rock

https://youtu.be/tWrdK1MZEW0

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2025: Live updates from ceremony

Bad Company inducted by Mick Fleetwood; drummer Simon Kirke joined by Joe Perry, Bryan Adams, Chris Robinson for…
#NewsBeep #News #Music #AU #Australia #ceremony #chubby #CyndiLauper #downtownl.a.join #Entertainment #Fame #fameinductee #other #Outkast #peacocktheater #Rock #rockhall #rollhall #shooterjennings #warrenzevon #year
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/272288/

https://www.europesays.com/ie/170722/ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2025: Live updates from ceremony #ceremony #chubby #CyndiLauper #DowntownL.A.Join #Éire #Entertainment #fame #FameInductee #IE #Ireland #Music #other #Outkast #PeacockTheater #Rock #RockHall #RollHall #ShooterJennings #WarrenZevon #year

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6M89iDabwM

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6M89iDabwM

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6M89iDabwM

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6M89iDabwM

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6M89iDabwM

‘Warren Zevon: Join Me in L.A.’ Tribute Concert Brings Together His Admirers for a Night of Subversion and Tenderness on the Block: Concert Review
#Variety #ConcertReviews #News #Reviews #DwightYoakam #JacksonBrowne #WarrenZevon #WildHoney

https://variety.com/2025/music/concert-reviews/warren-zevon-concert-review-tribute-united-wild-honey-1236561578/

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lOlydXPGQ

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lOlydXPGQ

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lOlydXPGQ

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lOlydXPGQ

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lOlydXPGQ

White Rabbits of London

#RhetoricalSongsOrPoems
#HashTagGames
#JeffersonAirplane
#WarrenZevon
#MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail
#TheHolyHandGrenadeOfAntioch

"Werewolves of London" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter #WarrenZevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and #WaddyWachtel. It first appeared on #ExcitableBoy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a #single by #AsylumRecords in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the #onlyOneOfZevonsCareer, reaching No. 21 on the US #BillboardHot100 in May. Inspired by #PhilEverly, it includes #FleetwoodMac's #MickFleetwood on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lOlydXPGQ

Life Will Kill ‘Ya

Rolling Stone called it his best since "Excitable Boy." Zevon releases Life Will Kill 'Ya on January 25, 2000 ... #warrenzevon #lifewillkillya #zevon #rock #folkrock Listen to Life'll Kill Ya by Warren Zevon on Amazon Music ...

https://robinbannks.wordpress.com/2025/01/25/57549/

Zevon. Birthday. Turn it up. https://robinbannks.wordpress.com/2025/01/24/zevon-2/ #zevon #warrenzevon #birthday #rock #altrock #americana #folkrock

Okay, Thursday Five List's theme is "The Halloween."

So, think fast! Let's go.

Charlie Daniels' Band - Devil Went Down to Georgia https://song.link/us/i/206130413

The Fat Rat and Everglow - Ghost Light https://song.link/us/i/1651649795

Outkast featuring Kelis - Dracula's Wedding https://song.link/us/i/1774799971

Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London https://song.link/us/i/296202455

Rob Zombie - Living Dead Girl https://song.link/us/i/1440845809

#Music #TheHalloween #RobZombie #CharlieDanielsBand #TheFatRat #Everglow #EDM #WarrenZevon #Outkast #HipHop #Kelis #Halloween #ThursdayFiveList

Ted Tocks Covers - Year 7 - Day 76

Desperados Under the Eaves

Remembering Warren Zevon!

One of the finest lyricists to ever put pen to paper. I urge you to explore.

Enjoy every sandwich!

“Don't the sun look angry through the trees
Don't the trees look like crucified thieves
Don't you feel like Desperados under the eaves
Heaven help the one who leaves”

#WarrenZevon #MadeleinePeyroux #HenrikNorberg #PuddlesPityParty #ShooterJennings #Dawes

https://tedtockscovers.wordpress.com/2024/09/07/desperados-under-the-eaves-except-in-dreams-youre-never-really-free-musicislife-tedtockscovers-warrenzevon/

This week for @neurothing's Thursday Five List, we have a theme of "The Monster" from @DXMacGuffin

Nice.

Let's do it.

All Time Low ft Demi Lovato and blackbear - Monsters https://song.link/us/i/1542954689

Itzy - Mr. Vampire https://song.link/us/i/1718647341

Kesha - Godzilla https://song.link/us/i/1253657081

Bobby Pickett - Monster Mash https://song.link/us/i/82125202

Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London https://song.link/us/i/296202455

#Music #ThursdayFiveList #KPop #TheMonster #Itzy #WarrenZevon #Kesha #Godzilla #AllTimeLow #MonsterMash #DemiLovato #BobbyPickett

Ted Tocks Covers

Celebrating July 4th while featuring the Top 5 Ted Tocks Covers posts profiling American artists.

#RamJam #CrosbyStillsNashandYoung #TinyTim #WarrenZevon #JohnPrine

Enjoy!

#StaySafe

https://tedtockscovers.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/happy-independence-day-top-five-posts-by-american-artists-musicislife-tedtockscovers-ramjam-crosbystillsnashandyoung-tinytim-warrenzevon-johnprine/

Ted Tocks Covers

Top Three Posts for April

Featuring songs from #Prince, #CrashTestDummies and #JohnPrine with bonus features from #WarrenZevon, #ChrisdeBurgh and #BobbyDarin.

Where else can you get this fun-filled 6-pack of artists in one compact article?

#MusicisLife

https://tedtockscovers.wordpress.com/2023/05/01/ted-tocks-covers-top-three-posts-for-april-musicislife-tedtockscovers-warrenzevon-chrisdeburgh-bobbydarin-prince-crashtestdummies-johnprine/

Holy crap! #WarrenZevon is in third, and #IronMaiden is gaining on Willie and Soundgarden. Keep voting, peeps! #RockAndRollHoF #UpTheIrons