Robert Edwards
@robertsedwards.bsky.social
Veteran, writer, filmmaker, music and comedy nerd, blogging at The King’s Necktie thekingsnecktie.substack.com. Author of RESISTING THE RIGHT, from OR Books. Writer/director of "Land of the Blind" starring Ralph Fiennes and Donald Sutherland.
1/ Per HCR, The Daily Beast’s David Rothkopf reports “that experts in the military and former employees of the Defense Department consider Hegseth’s record ‘to be the most egregious example of defense management malpractice in our history.
This is woefully underreported if the first place I am reading about it is in the Wall Street Journal of all places. An absolutely chilling example of authoritarianism at its most naked.
How ICE Is Weaponizing Social Media Against Its Critics
The agency says its surveillance program searches for threats to agents, but critics see free-speech infringements.
wsj.com
William Safire version: You and me Bob Marley version: I and I
Love this. Bowie, being interviewed by Parky in 2002. He's describing seeing his boyhood idol, Little Richard, in 1963, then segues into a fantastic impression of early Mick Jagger. (Keep an eye peeled near the end for the other guest, Tom Hanks.)
David Bowie imitates Mick Jagger!!
YouTube video by GionoYT
youtu.be
Trump is openly posting about running again in 2028. But after years and years in which we gnashed our teeth at the prospect that he would try that, wouldn't it be ironic if the thing that really stops him is the fact that nobody—not even on his side—wants it?
Trump‘s usual strategy of launching meritless lawsuits really backfired on him in this case, w/his financial records open to discovery. Now watch how hard he is panicking at the possibility that he might have to turn those records over to the BBC. The sign of a man with nothing to hide.
US federal judge halts order for Trump to turn over financial records to BBC
Judge issues temporary pause while he considers Trump’s request to revise his libel lawsuit against BBC
theguardian.com
I’m really glad the New York Times bravely gave valuable column inches to billionaire nepo baby David Ellison to state his case for Paramount’s acquisition of Warners, since he has so little access to other media outlets by which to make his argument.
Only in New York. Also: why I can never hear "Shining Star" ever again.
Nicolas Heller (@newyorknico) on Threads
Elaine dance competition 2026 at the annual @brooklyncyclones Seinfeld Night.
threads.com
Any other fans of "Alice and Steve," featuring the great Jemaine Clement and Nicola Walker?
1/ Happy to announce that "Death & Taxes" @deathandtaxesfilm.bsky.social, the 2024 feature doc that I co-directed w/Justin Schein, is now streaming on Kinema. Link below.
DEATH & TAXES
Host a screening of DEATH & TAXES
kinema.com
A piece I wrote for @grassrootsconnect.bsky.social about Michael Meeropol, ahead of his appearance on the Grassroots’ podcast “It Needs To Be Said” later this week.
Witness to a Witch Hunt
Michael Meeropol and the fascism that lingers
grassrootsconnector.substack.com
Is Belle and Sebastian’s “Piazza, New York Catcher” the best song ever that has absolutely zero dynamics to it?
Republicans cave on Blanche with no substantive concession from the administration on the 1776 slush fund / "get out of jail free" card. Pathetic.
Greed always gets these MFers in the end. Infantino’s overreach may cost him his job.
New today on my blog, The King's Necktie: The passing of a most remarkable man.
Remembering Bill Jersey
The passing of a most remarkable man.
open.substack.com
The man in the WH is seriously unwell. The images below are among 43 real, highly disturbing Truth Social posts from POTUS, all in a 3 hour 15 min burst yesterday morning. In any previous administration, this would be a national emergency and cause for invoking of the 25th Amendment.
CBS bringing in Ross Douthat to replace Tony Romo.
I flew out of this AFB on my way to the Gulf in 1991. Apropos to rename it for a shameless hawk who was always game to put US troops in harm's way and flex American military muscle in the worst way for everyone on all sides of the wire.
South Carolina military base to be renamed after Lindsey Graham
Joint Base Charleston is slated to be renamed Joint Base Lindsey Graham, after the late senator.
armytimes.com
First order of business: have the CIA look into who REALLY won the 2020 presidential election, since the new DNI refused to say during his confirmation hearings.
Senate confirms Trump ally Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence
At confirmation hearing, Clayton sidestepped questions about 2020 election and declined to say Trump lost
theguardian.com
Incredible. At a time when CBS and "60 Minutes" have never been more disgraceful or toadying toward a fascist president, Ross Douthat joins their team? I guess Bari was impressed by Ross's smug assurances in October 2020 that "There Will Be No Trump Coup." #failingupward
We all know about the Melania doc. But there's been very little written about the 2024 docuseries "The Art of the Surge," made by Fox, and available on all the major platforms including Apple, Amazon Prime, Roku, YouTube, et al—a shameless hagiography of Donald. The knee must be bent, right guys?
Art of the Surge - Apple TV
Insight into Trump's quest for a historic 47th Presidency. Season One covers his private moments before Election Day.
tv.apple.com
FIFA president and possible future UN Secretary General Gianni Infantino with a Trump-like tempter tantrum on IG, stretching for a Russian-novel length 15 slides.
Gianni Infantino - FIFA President on Instagram: "‼️My message for all those who…‼️"
25K likes, 0 comments - gianni_infantino on July 26, 2026: "‼️My message for all those who…‼️".
instagram.com
Another demagogue meddles with the game. "Analysts in Argentina said Milei had embraced the narrative as a distraction from his plummeting popularity, while others argued that the 'real anti-Argentina campaign' was the one the president was waging 'with his chainsaw' austerity plan."
Javier Milei accuses US Democrats of financing ‘anti-Argentina campaign’ at World Cup
President also blames Brazil and Mexico and says online critics ‘do not want the ideas of freedom to succeed’
theguardian.com
New blog today on The King's Necktie: Six pallbearers of democracy, who are also among its most red-handed killers.
The Supreme Court Is Openly Corrupt
Six pallbearers of democracy, who are also among its most red-handed killers.
open.substack.com
1/ Tonight at the WH Correspondents Dinner: "Trump ended his remarks with a line that landed awkwardly, declaring that he planned to run and win a fourth election – a reference both to his false claim he won the 2020 election and to his repeated suggestion
Yet again: Once upon a time this alone would have been a presidency-ending scandal. Now we yawn, and the GOP actively defends it as awesome, "owning the libs." We are not a serious country.
Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him
Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.
nytimes.com