How Kalshi infects the news (Kalshification)
There are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of centrists who bemoan “political polarization” and call for a politics that abandons the “tribalism of left and right.”
Incarcerated People Lose Treasured Media When Prisons Change Tablet Contracts
Why most Black Americans say they never fly the American flag, according to a new AP-NORC poll.
Charlie Chaplin – Final Speech from The Great Dictator
Capitalism vs. Socialism? Get Serious.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for a ban on data centers in rural areas.
Might as well
A list of resources for people and organizations involved in, or interested in, one or more operations for the 2030 Census.
May as Well Get COVID and Flu Shots on the Same Day, Study Says — Coadministration was not associated with an increased risk of side effects
The A.I.-Design Aesthetic That’s Taking Over the Internet. How Anthropic’s new tool, Claude Design, is creating overnight web-design clichés.
Street photographer Ray Di Pietro focuses his work sharply on his adopted hometown of Nashville. With little fanfare, he has attracted tens of thousands of devotees. His images are artfully composed, spontaneous, honest, and, well, kind.
George E. Johnson, Who Built a Black Hair-Care Empire, Dies at 99
What I Learned About Masculinity at Thai Kickboxing School
‘Navigating the unknown together’: me and my idiot AI boyfriend
‘Separate in name and power’: How America reinvented English
Every John Oliver Scene on General Hospital and his debut
The Empire State Plaza Fireworks show for 2026
David Brickman’s show of color photographs at McGreevy ProLab and ProPress
Witch Way to Victory? and The 18 Month Soccer Bet and Baseball’s Brady Bunch
The return of King George III
Forget Project 2025 — he is following the royal’s playbook
Declaring War on The Declaration
Justice Department subpoenas New York Times reporters over Air Force One reporting
From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of Their 250th Birthday and Fireworks Fiasco Descends Into Chaos
Plans for racist renovations to the Smithsonian
Propaganda history trucks may soon visit your neighborhood
“Islamic Republic of Japan”?
DJT airport could spell doom for Palm Beach. Via Heather Delaney Reese: The agreement gives the Trump Organization control over which vendors can manufacture and sell merchandise at the airport. It gives Trump veto power over any biographical material displayed inside the building. A non-disparagement clause bars the airport from publishing anything that could tarnish his reputation. His own staff writes the version of his story that travelers see. And the trademark applications cover watches, jewelry, collectible coins, cufflinks, purses, backpacks, suitcases, umbrellas, tote bags, clothing, robes, neckties, belts, and plastic slippers designed for use at security checkpoints. They trademarked slippers at a public airport.
Air Force officer arrested at Capitol after calling for FOTUS impeachment, a civil-disobedience story
He Bought Hundreds of Stocks the Day Before He Paused Tariffs and Sparked a Historic Rally
His Dubious Promise to End Birthright Citizenship
Caught by gangland-style squeeze play/ Damned if they do, damned if they betray. (poem)
JD Vance appears most agitated because he believes America is engaged in a civilizational struggle — and it is losing.
MUSIC
The Washington National Cathedral marked the 250th anniversary of the United States with an interfaith service on July 3. Lifting themes of pluralism and the common good, We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident celebrates the nation’s ideals alongside an honest reckoning of its history and unfinished work.
Total Eclipse of the Heart (Turn Around) – Bonnie Tyler, described as a “husky-voiced powerhouse vocalist” who died this month.
Ballad of Orin score by Toru Takemitsu
Favorite Songs By Favorite Artists (Series Four) #8: Eric Dolphy
Overture to Pique Dame by Franz von Suppé
The New Christy Minstrels: The folk group that lasted for centuries
Coverville 1584: The Tears For Fears Cover Story III
My Life -Billy Joel (From the 100th — Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY-March 28, 2024)
Feller From Fortune, set for chorus by Harry Somers
Empathy is the new Christian 
A MAGA