10/10/2025 Sammy at sundown

It’s hard to believe how quickly and comprehensively things have degenerated but face it we must. We can’t pretend this — the breakdown of democracy — hasn’t occurred.

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

The president just gathered the highest ranking officers in the military to tell them that he may order them to kill American citizens -- and that they better follow his orders. All in response to a series of crises that have no basis in reality. I don't know how to yell any louder.

Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee

O, pity, God, this miserable age! What stratagems! How fell! How butcherly!

Free speech and fearless I to thee allow.

“The cutting of the gem has to be finished before you can see whether it shines.” Leonard Cohen, who would have been 91 on today, on creativity, work ethic, and why you should never quit before you know what it is you're quitting

Today we celebrate Leonard Cohen, born on this day. Poet, prophet, singer of our shadows and our light. He once reminded us: “In this world, you have to be a bit too kind just to be kind enough.” May we carry that wisdom forward.

maybe I should just stay in Salzburg for the next couple of years

I second this.

Every major talent that works for ABC and Disney should refuse to show up for work until Jimmy Kimmel is reinstated. Marvel movies need to shutdown. Ditto the sitcoms. Collective boycott. Corporations love money more than anything,& this will harm them and force them to do the right thing.

icymi

What is the city but the people?

If you're protesting ICE in Chicago, let me know at [email protected] if you need free legal training or legal support. If you're arrested protesting ICE, I can represent you pro bono. Email me at [email protected]. As always, I will take as many cases as I can.

Sometimes, the Internet is worth it.

Go shit in your hat, jagoff. Chicago’s seen tougher punks and bigger crooks — you’re just another loudmouth con with tiny fingers and a withered dick.

“Why I Am Not a Liberal.” Because you’re David Brooks. End of essay.

I feel like I’m taking crazy pills, why is every single outlet characterizing it this way?

The world crumbles in small ways too: Vegas Wizard of Oz cut Bert Lahr’s “If I Were King of the Forest.”

I spit up my tea.

*Such* a charming image; and Julie Andrewsová to boot

Hey people: the great @bcdreyer.social / the wonderful @storystudiochicago.bsky.social What are you waiting for?!

These lies are like their father that begets them, gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou clay-brain’d guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson, obscene, greasy tallow-catch⁠—

❤️ this city

👇

JD Vance is terrified of homeless people yelling in public. Not guns in schools, not kids going hungry—just the poor daring to exist where he can see them. America’s real crisis isn’t homelessness. It’s politicians this cruel.

A toast to the dazzling Kim Cattrall on her birthday! I had the joy of directing her sparkling Célimène in The Misanthrope years ago, and she’s been lighting up stage and screen with wit and grace ever since. 🥂✨

It’s Robert Altman’s centenary—and my own film-loving kids haven’t seen his work or shown much interest. Has he fallen out of favor? Just rewatched California Split: wild, brilliant, pure Altman. Maybe it’s time for a rediscovery—@criterionchannel retrospective drops in September.

The Chicago Tribune just bought out Michael Phillips—its esteemed longtime film critic. Chicago still has superb critics in theater, art, food, architecture. But the Tribune decided film doesn’t matter. For a flagship paper in a great arts city, it’s pathetic and embarrassing.

Down, down to hell, and say I sent thee thither⁠

Imagine being Zelensky or Macron, bracing for serious talks on war and peace, and this clown starts showing off his MAGA hat collection like it’s the Louvre. Embarrassing doesn’t even cover it—America’s crackpot-in-chief turning the White House into a QVC clearance rack.

Watching Rubio flail and twitch on Face The Nation defending Russia and pretending that both sides of the war are morally equivalent is the work of a man desperate to be President when Trump is gone and terrified of offending the pro-Putin MAGA base.

😆 😢

Okay, I’ve been obsessed with the utterly embarrassing “Summit.” Done. BUT - giving @jondmaas.bsky.social the last word.

Wooohoooooo! We’re at the gorgeous Newberry Library all weekend for #storyboardfest25. Show us your most inspiring photos and win a prize during tonight’s social.

hashtag: ‘He loves flattery,’ a Putin aide bragged. In Alaska, Trump wagged like a show dog for Fox while a war criminal pocketed the win—proving the only thing he brought to the table was his leash.

When you’re having trouble with your DUI field test…

Press event ends: no questions, no deals, no change. A war criminal keeps his war, a convicted felon keeps his airtime. After a day of Fox-flirting in Alaska, Trump closed with ‘we’re making headway.’ Headway to what—Putin’s next invasion?

US army rolling the red carpet to murderer’s plane. I will never forget this image.

Republicans went from ‘Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall!’ to literally rolling out the RED carpet for the world’s most dangerous dictator in the space of a generation. FOX News more than anything else laid the groundwork for the stupidity that infects MAGA and their clown king.

A very happy 80th birthday to Mr. Steve Martin!

Many if not most "this needs a series comma" examples need something other than a series comma, but this one's totally 👨🏼‍🍳💋.

“Leningrad?”

👇 this is an essential and utterly accurate post 👇

Because anytime anyone writes about it I gotta repost:

Just awful news. I’ve seen several remarkable productions by Butisov over the years; an utterly original and daring artist. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Perfectly described.

“Andrew, your ‘government that works’ worked so well it worked you right out of office. And the Erie Canal? Congrats on your 200-year-old ribbon-cutting. We’ll stick with our skyline, our lake, and our hot dogs — no ketchup, no Cuomo.”