Men have been objectifying women for hundreds (thousands?!) of years in song, so I can’t understand why everyone’s so upset when #TaylorSwift does the same thing about a man who happens to be her fiancée (and creates insanely catchy music for that topic, to boot).

A day after a federal judge ruled that ICE can’t use “tear gas, pepper spray, or other weapons against journalists.”

I don’t think anyone has told the ICE agents in Chicago about this ruling yet. And if an ICE agent is undercover, I don’t know why would they would wear face coverings…that doesn’t exactly help them fit in unnoticed and “undercover.

Trump could easily win a Nobel Peace Prize...if he jettisoned Russel Vought and Stephen Miller and the Project 2025 initiatives that are crippling our nation and actually used the unprecedented power he's amassed to help the U.S. citizens he's responsible for instead of serving his handler's whims.

Nifty trick the Trump administration is employing; demonizing judges who rule against them while simultaneously ignoring their rulings, constantly claiming new legal loopholes allow them to continue their unlawful activities. To be absolutely clear, in this case “nifty” means “despicable.”

It's challenging to sort through the flood of activity in Chicago, so if you're looking for rapid, on-the-ground, fact-checked reporting I STRONGLY recommend reading—and subscribing to—@blockclubchi.bsky.social. They've consistently been reliable, digestible, and comprehensive. blockclubchicago.org

I would like to thank the Trump administration for shining the spotlight on Chicago because now the entire world knows how awesome we are.

Given today’s media climate, it’s worth noting the current owner of the @chicagoist.bsky.social handle has never had any connection to the original Chicagoist (or its current owner, Chance). Just in case anyone was confused. 🙃

The only thing burning in Chicago today is a glorious sun, set within a brilliantly blue sky, illuminating teeming hordes of people walking outside and enjoying the afternoon.

Camera phones are lousy at capturing a great full moon, but it’s so bright over Chicago right now!!!!

Spotted down the street from me—I love my neighbors in Chicago.

After all the bands have run out of reissues of remastered albums I look forward to the avalanche of reissues of demastered albums.

I needed this chuckle today.

Funny how the only President to attempt an insurrection is now threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act against law-abiding US citizens.

Our current septuagenarian President is a puppet in a cone of misinformation executing the whims of Stephen Miller and Russel K. Vought, men secure that their personal beliefs supersede the US Constitution. But history will prove them wrong and celebrate their eventual failure.

@govpritzker.illinois.gov I hope you’re taking steps to follow Oregon’s example and sue to block the Trump administration from using National Guard troops in Chicago. I’m hoping you take action to protect us instead of just taking about it.

Yeah @nytimes.com and @washingtonpost.com , the Diddy sentencing is far more important than the rampant and unlawful ICE activity sweeping through Chicago right now. C’mon you two, DO YOUR JOB. Our city was safe…until ICE showed up.

I find this far more helpful/hopeful than the other F-word that usually precedes this guy’s name.

Posting clearly partisan messages on U.S. government websites is a clear violation of the Hatch Act. So much for Republicans/MAGA being the party of “law and order.”

This is not a great example for SoD (SoW) Hegseth to use, since the U.S. actions in the 1991 Gulf War further destabilized the Middle East and potentially laid the groundwork that led to the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil a decade later. Screenshot via @washingtonpost.com

Hegseth’s meeting of military leaders sure feels like a bunch of adults tolerating a play put on by kids in their living room.

Donald J. Trump is just a cudgel for Project 2025, and his random actions and statements only help their plan. Russell T. Vought and Stephen Miller are actually controlling the power of the Executive Branch. You need to understand who is wielding actual power and who is providing distractions.

Check out this amazing 1999 Liz Phair show at Lounge Ax from the @ajcproject.mas.to.ap.brid.gy!

Who would’ve thought MTG would be the one Republican in Congress who understands she was elected to do what’s best for her constituents and not to blindly carry out orders from her party’s leader. I often disagree with her politics but I believe she should be commended for this. Via @nytimes.com

Heading out to see Pulp and LCD Soundsystem at Hollywood Bowl tonight? Say hi if you see this guy! (It’s me. 🙂)

However, due to the 80% humidity it’s pretty toasty. 🙃

If you look at this journal page—shared in the excellent @nytimes.com article about the new display of the @davidbowiereal.bsky.social archive—Bowie shares his opinion on why he thought Oasis never broke in the U.S. waaaay back when. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

While I’m feeling like spreading positive vibes of appreciation, I’m REALLY loving the whole Liquid Glass redesign in iOS 26! 😁👍

It only took me 7 episodes to notice it because I’m an idiot but Adrian Edmondson (a.k.a Vyv Basterd in ‘The Young Ones’) is playing the super creepy Atom Eins on ‘Alien: Earth!’

Washington Blue line CTA stop is closed right now. An officer said there was a crime scene and “they’re cleaning it up.”

I’m really beginning to doubt the average American’s ability to “Do my own research!”

This is really intense. I cry every time I watch it (but it’s a happy thing). youtu.be/Ohr9PJXjBa8?...

@blankcheck.bsky.social you won’t be disappointed!

I figured out how we can defeat the Sunday Scaries!!! Give everyone every Monday off. Problem solved!

I had no plan to review the #Oasis show—fully intending to just enjoy it last night in the moment—but I woke up this morning and this just burst out of me right away. I hope you enjoy it.

The show was very fun tonight.

I love that I can often hear 5 to 6 different languages spoken along my 4-block neighborhood walk to the nearest convenience store. That’s Chicago. That’s what I love about America!

Spotted on Threads; social media managers supporting social media managers is a beautiful thing.

Who woulda thunk Mike Judge would end up spinning a scarier tale with ‘Idioceacy’ than @stephenking.bsky.social could have envisioned in his wildest nightmares?

📢 JOB ALERT: Block Club is hiring a full-time reporter to cover Beverly, Morgan Park + Mount Greenwood on Chicago's South Side! Deadline to apply is 9/15: blockclubchi.co/417MIqG

I call this one ‘Sears Tower in the Phantom Zone.’

I don't just write about music, sometimes I talk about it too! I was on a recent @digmeoutpodcast.com to discuss Flaming Lips' 'In A Priest Driven Ambulance' and you might enjoy it. Hear about what they used to be like, what's changed, and what hasn't!

Dream job alert! @wired.com is hiring a features editor to join our team. You’ll work with @harmancipants.bsky.social and her gang of genius storytellers on ambitious reporting, investigations, packages, and more…

So a company owned by a French conglomerate will now take the work away from a U.S. family-owned business.

Spotted just now in the Chicago sky…

More new music for you to dig! Check out my thoughts on, and listen to the new album from, Dave Suh & the Dirty Wings. And if you're out and about, catch them tonight at Montrose Saloon for the album release show!

I reviewed the latest from Chicago’s mighty @thekickback.bsky.social; it’s a terrific album and very much worth your time. Check it out!

If this administration ever comes through on their leader’s clear desire to use some of the increased tariff revenues to issue checks to taxpayers, they should call those checks what they are; minor tax refunds for the largest tax increase on consumers in U.S. history. Congratulations on that.

In a way I’m almost impressed by how brazenly the head of the “no new taxes” party shoved through an unexpected and considerable across-the-board tax increase that will negatively impact every American consumer’s budget (and many are already feeling it)…