The Week in Birthdays. And Hope.

Hello #Denmark? Normal America here. 71% of us think this attempt on #Greenland is insane. Don't hate us. We still love you. They do not represent our values. Those who think it's a good idea are in an abusive relationship and need help.

An autoimmune disease MISTAKENLY attacks a part of the whole body. What's the right terminology when the disease INTENTIONALLY attacks one of its parts?

The Slits’ Ari Up was born January 17, 1962, in Munich. Johnny Rotten was her stepfather. This clip, which is from 1979, sounds a bit like Bjork. Or, you know, Bjork sounds a bit like this. Ari Up died of breast cancer in 2010. youtu.be/tL9xJoUJ6QE

It was fun to be on Boston Public Radio today with @sullivanjames.bsky.social to talk about @whichsideboston.bsky.social. We were joined by the legend Jon Butcher and @alimcguirk.bsky.social, who delivered amazing performances. Our piece starts around 1:29:00 www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRY4...

Texas A & M forbids philosophy profressor to teach Plato. (Too woke, apparently.)

Historically artist-friendly Bandcamp leads with a clear policy on AI music.

I look forward to this one, out in March! bookshop.org/a/98365/9780...

I am constantly amazed at the optimism from people who are deep into this fight. Here's @aclum.bsky.social Carol Rose seeing hope in the way regular people are reacting and rallying.

Reagan-appointed federal judge say senior cabinet officials conspired to violate the Constitution. wapo.st/4qjwsxj

I am excited to be on Boston Public Radio today (Friday) at 12:30 with @sullivanjames.bsky.social, talking @whichsideboston.bsky.social.

Ten For Today: Music From Minneapolis

Well worth watching if you live in an American city. They will move on to another location soon. Is it your city? www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNG4...

If I lived in Maine... Maybe you do?

Thanks to Anna from Sampan for including our neighbor-organized Lower Mills food pantry in this comprehensive piece about local food insecurity in Boston. This kind of local mutual aid represents something most EVERYONE can do as we navigate these trying times.

In a sea of great moments at the last @whichsideboston.bsky.social we did, I think this one was my favorite. Rahsaan Hall of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts advises us all to keep singing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYi...

The Week in birthdays (and paramilitary forces).

Excellent choice. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/09/b...

When is our National Day of Mourning?

This is such a great project. Can't wait to see it.

One of the editors of the National Catholic Reporter is having none of JD Vance. “The vice president's comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith.”

Remember when we thought that insurrection was unsuccessful? I miss those days.

Thanks to the local newspaper for covering our neighborhood pantry.

Listen to the first single from Joe Pernice's new album, coming out in April. You can pre-order today.

Personnel is policy, and these are great appointments. prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...

The Week in Birthdays, January 5 - 11. And the last word.

Listen, he said we don't want to be the policeman of the world. He didn't say we don't want to be the landlord of the world.

Begs many questions. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Yes, I have one. Everybody does. I am not special.

The Lower Mills pantry (behind St. Greg's, off Mother Julia Road) is well stocked this evening if you need anything. It's outdoors, and well-lit, so there is 24-hour access. Thanks to everyone who responded the other day when I mentioned stock was low. #Dorchester #Mattapan #Milton

Books I read and liked in 2025

Here's a playlist in honor of the unintended consequences of a policy decision.

The first concert in America was held in Boston on this day in 1731 — and it was a house concert! Here’s a piece I wrote about it (broadly) last year on the same anniversary.

The Week in Birthdays. And headshots.

On this day in 1982, TIME’s “Man of the Year” was the computer.

Keep on marching. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

This might be my favorite Christmas television performance. I was mesmerized by it as a kid, back when you couldn't just find every television clip ever when sitting in your living room. www.youtube.com/watch?v=riG8...

The wait is almost over! He arrives tonight. Christmas Eve with Oedipus is 6-midnight on @wgbh.org, over the airwaves and streaming too. A treasured holiday tradition. No algorithm. Just Oedirithm! (Thanks to @henrysantoro.bsky.social for his stewardship!)

The Week in Birthdays. And collective effervescence.

I tried to migrate this from the bad place. But the third-party apps aren't great yet. Exports weren't accurate, and missed a significant number of songs. So, with a resolution to fix the problem by NEXT Christmas, here's a 700-song Christmas playlist that I have been building for about 15 years.

For Dorchester, Mattapan, and Milton neighbors in need. The Lower Mills community pantry is pretty well stocked. You can see the photos. It’s at Saint Greg’s, behind the church, on the Mother Julia Road side. It is accessible 24 hours, and there is lighting.

The reservations for our SEVENTH (!) installment of @whichsideboston.bsky.social are getting snapped up quickly. People really seem to love this event, which is part show, part organizing effort, and all therapy. www.whichside.boston

A former Massachusetts Governor argues we should tax the rich -- and it's probably about the last one you'd think would make such an argument.

It's great that @icaboston.bsky.social is doing this show with AAMARP artists! Important piece of Boston history (and present).

The Lower Mills community pantry is very well stocked today, if you are in need of some food. It's at St Greg's, behind the church, just off Mother Julia Road. It's outdoors, so there is 24-hour access.

I was looking for a quote to pull from this to begin this post, but couldn't choose one, because there are so many.

On this day in 1773, there was a protest in Boston Harbor.

Since July, I've been co-producing @whichsideboston.bsky.social, a music and discussion series, with @sullivanjames.bsky.social. As we prep for our next installment tomorrow, we just uploaded video from last month. See it at the link. (Scroll down.) www.whichside.boston/how-to