Ward Lehmann
@wardlehmann.bsky.social
Retired academic librarian. Wartime consigliere.
Imagine how Republicans and Fox would’ve cried to the heavens if President Obama had allowed Iran to control (and charge tolls!) for an international water right of way for US oil.
Trump Is Conceding a Hormuz Tolling Regime to Iran
President Trump is now demanding that Iran reach a deal with Oman...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Trump having his news flunkies at 60 Minutes tank a story about his sleazy child predator friend. Why am I not surprised?
60 Minutes Ended Story About Epstein’s Shady Bank Transactions
Senator Ron Wyden sat for an interview with correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi about Jeffrey Epstein’s bank transactions. Alfonsi was fired for other reasons shortly after, and the story never aired.
newrepublic.com
So much for “fair and balanced.” I can’t watch a network that assumes as a given that their viewers are stupid.
What's revealing here is that Iran and Oman are negotiating what is essentially a shared hormuz toll ("service fee") agreement. So the US is moving pretty rapidly to treat a post-war toll system as a given. 'Come up with an agreement on tolls or we'll attack!!' In other words, a massive defeat.
Bloomberg News@bloomberg.com · yesterdayUS President Donald Trump is pushing Iran to reach a deal with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz as soon as Tuesday, or face devastating air strikes on the country.
Can’t help wondering who these farmers voted for… and if they think their higher health care premiums are worth it for Musk to get a tax cut.
Healthcare costs have more than doubled for many farmers this year, on top of soaring expenses
When Congress allowed Affordable Care Act tax credits to lapse, healthcare premiums spiked for millions of Americans — especially self-employed farmers and ranchers. That added cost is multiplying the...
mprnews.org
“It’s the only thing I’ve never heard anybody say they don’t like.” — FZ
Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia
YouTube video by mrbriefcaseMUSIC
youtu.be
From the father of the original Republican Party, a.k.a. the party of Lincoln.
Stephen West@stephenwest.bsky.social · last mo.Abe Lincoln vs. the "heritage American" crowd, 1858: It doesn't matter where your ancestors were in 1776. Americans who read the Declaration and affirm its creed "have a right to claim it as though they were blood of the blood, and flesh of the flesh of the men who wrote [it] ...and so they are."
Lots of Europeans loved FZ. What a band. Ian Underwood *and* George Duke!
Frank Zappa: Dog Breath + Mother People
YouTube video by Zappa Jam
youtu.be
Pearson’s Candy Company closing. Sad, sad day. youtu.be/9oaAGmy_PEU?...
Vintage Pearson's Salted Nut Roll Commercial 1970's
YouTube video by Pearson's Candy
youtu.be
This is a test for Fox News viewers: After all these lies, are you still willing to believe him?
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last wk.KILMEADE: We hear that you're talking with leaders from Iran. But Iran has come out publicly and said 'we're not talking to the US' TRUMP: Well, they just came out and said we are talking KILMEADE: So could you tell me who you're talking to? TRUMP: We've had some very good talks
“French prosecutors have recently learned of around 10 new suspected victims of Epstein’s network. Norway is investigating a former prime minister and former diplomats in connection with their ties to Epstein. In February . . . King Charles’s brother, was arrested.” Europe can do it. Why can’t we?
Opinion | I visited the evidence of Epstein’s crimes
We need to hold accountable the web of accomplices who enabled his crimes.
startribune.com
Is there anything Republicans will take responsibility for? Stop blaming Biden or the Canadians for things you caused or made worse or ignored.
Report: DOGE delayed fire-prevention plan for Echo Trail near Ely
Washington Post reporting supports the allegations of a former Forest Service ranger now running for the Legislature.
startribune.com
Trump admin has quietly drafted new rules governing the census expected to recategorize millions of immigrants (both unauthorized and legal) as not actually living here in the United States This would allow the GOP to steal congressional seats & redirect hundreds of billions of federal dollars
Inside Trump’s Stealth Trick to Rig the Census—and Congress
The administration’s latest power grab is disguised as boring technical guidance.
thebulwark.com
One of the highlights of Absolutely Free “Yeah, yeah, yeah!”
Son Of Suzy Creamcheese
YouTube video by Frank Zappa - Topic
youtu.be
Did you all see Pete Hegseth in front of that committee this week?
Been revisiting Frank album by album, with the help of Charles Ulrich’s Big Note, and we rediscovering classics like this
I'm Not Satisfied
YouTube video by The Mothers - Topic
youtu.be
They are more concerned about stamping out leaks than the fact that our tax money was used to take the vice president’s son to… wait for it… a golf lesson. Do we want the party that supports these clowns and this free spending reelected?
Secret Service Agent Put on Leave for Alleged Leaks About JD Vance
Previous reports indicated that Vance’s Secret Service detail was fed up with his diva-like requests.
newrepublic.com
“The Washington Post reported that a “U.S. official familiar with internal administration discussions,” speaking on the condition of anonymity, warned: “We do not have enough to safely sustain operations, and I don’t think the White House is aware of that.”” An issue for every U.S. Rep and Senator.
The American People Need the Truth About the Iran War
The president and the Pentagon are not being up front about what has happened in more than 20 weeks of hostilities.
theatlantic.com
“427 U.S. service members have been injured in the Iran conflict. The site counts 14 troops killed in hostile and nonhostile incidents. The online death figures have not been updated to include the deaths the Pentagon announced over the weekend.”
Pentagon Withheld Dozens of U.S. Military Injuries in Iran War (Gift Article)
On social media, the Pentagon said later on Monday that the number of U.S. military casualties from Iranian attacks since July 7 had risen to nearly 100.
nytimes.com
“Neither the FDA nor the CDC has a permanent director right now, and both agencies have lost staff and lab capacity and undergone major reorganizations, some actively happening when the largest outbreak in history occurred.“ When people say regulation is bad, ask if they like explosive diarrhea.
Covid-19 waking up, Cyclospora marches on, and measles is close to hitting a milestone
The Dose (July 21)
open.substack.com
The DSA Is a Parasite The left-wing faction is hijacking the Democratic Party. by James Kirchik www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
“Hasnie noted Trump’s claims of compromised voting machines and said, “Fox News has not seen that evidence yet . . .” When not even Fox will defend your lies. No responsible parent would let their kid be such a sore loser in a sporting match.
Here’s how the TV networks handled Trump’s highly unusual prime-time address | CNN Business
Some major TV networks showed President Donald Trump’s prime-time address live on Thursday night while others pointedly did not — a divide that highlighted Trump’s long record of lying and renewed dis...
cnn.com
Two more Americans dead, one missing. The president must tell Congress why he’s gambling with the lives of U.S. service members. www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
Two More Americans Dead in the Iran War
Congress must demand an explanation from the president about why he’s gambling with the lives of U.S. service members.
theatlantic.com
