Los Angeles.

Harold Knight - "The Reader" (1909)

Donald’s second try at tariffs ruled illegal. Cue the ketchup. (Gift article.) www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/b...

“Patel has distributed his self-branded bottles while on official business, including during at least one FBI event. He and his team have transported the whiskey using a DOJ plane, including when he went to Milan during the Olympics in February. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

From Sarah Fitzpatrick's new article on a very boozy FBI director

“He was evasive, nervous — he was dishonest,” Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) reporters during a break in the hourslong proceedings. “He would not admit to lying, which he clearly did.” www.politico.com/news/2026/05...

Keith Thomson (American, b.1965) "Rovers," 2023 Oil and ink on canvas 18 x 24 in #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

What a gorgeously sun-dappled photo of an incredibly young Bette Davis! This house feels so old Hollywood. 😍

“Well now we know why that interview was not video-taped,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told reporters, saying Lutnick offered “no acknowledgment” of any inconsistencies in his relationship with Epstein. “That was really embarrassing.”” -Politico

“Assistant U.S. Attorney General Brett Shumate said the government would seek to use the Westfall Act to swap Trump for the U.S. as the defendant in the lawsuit. That would require dismissal of the case because the federal government can’t be sued for defamation. “ www.politico.com/news/2026/05...

Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). The Beach at Sainte-Adresse (1867, Oil on canvas).

`A tree by a Highlands lake, verdant landscape, trefoil Celtic knotwork` #synthart

APNewsAlert: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — United Arab Emirates says its air defenses are responding to new Iranian missile and drone attacks.

It’s long past time to retire the word “suffragette” which was coined in 1906 by British journalist Charles E. Hands of the Daily Mail to mock militant women in the UK fighting for the right to vote. It added the diminutive suffix "-ette" to "suffragist," aiming to belittle them.

The Apple Orchard. Kevin Kia

DJT on firing federal workers “I feel sorry for everyone, you know, it’s a hard thing to do,” he said. “Many of those people voted for me, but now they like me because they went out, they got private sector jobs that they like better and is paying them sometimes two or three times more money.” -NYT

“I do not believe that this kid just got out of bed that day and decided to come over there and kill the president. I believe that he was involved with someone greater than him, that worked with him and probably offered him money to do this.” -Helen Comperatore to NYT

“Merz has framed the approach as deliberate, arguing voters expect candor from their leaders even if it occasionally creates friction. “I don’t want to speak like a polished pebble,” he said. “That’s not my style.” www.politico.eu/article/frie...

Kamala‘s new $8 million home in Malibu suggests retirement, not running for president, say people who live there. www.politico.com/news/2026/05...

Rachel Maddow devoted her entire show last night to Julia Ainsley’s new book. Ive never seen another host do that.

We could throw a huge monkey wrench into Republicans‘ gerrymandering if we were all registered independents.

Midterms six months off. “The warning signs are flashing,” one GOP operative said last night. “For the first time ever, a majority of Americans do not have confidence in Trump’s ability to handle the economy. Unless he can reverse this reality, Republicans will pay dearly in November.” -Politico

James Comey has been keeping busy waiting for his upcoming trial.

“What the Wind Blew In” (2018) 13.5" X 15.25" acrylic on 1/4 inch oak veneer plywood by Reilly Fitzgerald. The iceberg season has started in Newfoundland and Labrador. One of my "wood grain paintings" which uses the natural wood patterns as a guide for the background and some significant elements.

On this day in 1935, a Jewish girl was born in Paris. She was arrested with her mother and sister and interned in Drancy. On the 17 Aug 1942, they were separated from their mother and deported to Auschwitz where they were murdered. Her name was Louise Listmann @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social

#nokings #LoveMyGov #itsthefuckingguns #midterms26 #DumpElectoralCollege #ReleaseALLTheFilesNOW #SupportUkraineNOW #EndTheIranWarNOW #25thAmmendmentNOW

This is my scumbag Rep. www.cnn.com/2026/04/30/p...

At a presser today, Donald was asked what he thought about a possible reprise of The Apprentice. He sounded jeaoous that Jr would play his role. “We’ll see,” he said. I’d bet anything he’ll block it.

New AP-NORC poll: Trump's approval rating on the economy dropped to 30% in April from 38% in March. A similarly low share of U.S. adults, 32%, approve of Trump's leadership on Iran — unchanged from last month.

The mystery of Epstein’s suicide note. Gift article. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/u...

The Magna Carta is a 1215 document forced upon England’s King John by his barons to limit royal power and protect feudal rights. It established the foundational principle that the monarch is subject to the rule of law and established the rights of individuals.

“Amazon executives have started discussing the prospect of rebooting “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump Jr. as host. They haven’t even asked the Trump family yet, but the early idea would be to revive the series that made Donald Trump famous on Prime Video.” -Politico & WSJ

I think Democratic candidates ought to make liberal use of this photo in midterm campaigns. Blatant let-them-eat-cake moments are political gifts.

Jan Waldron (American Artist, born 1952) "The black Cat makes Room", 2025. Gouache on Paper, 12 × 9 inches. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

10 bucks to the first reporter with the huevos to ask Todd Blanche about this.

Trump’s plan to turn the century old reflecting pool into a cheap swimming pool blasted by preservationists. www.politico.com/news/2026/04...

“Democratic state Rep. James Talarico leads Republican AG Ken Paxton by 5 points and incumbent John Cornyn by 3 in the Senate race, according to a new poll from Texas Public Opinion Research, a nonpartisan outfit led by a Dem strategist. ” -Politico

“Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) announced he won’t seek reelection, the latest retirement in a cycle full of them. The eight-term congressman, who has run multiple times for House speaker, had warned Republicans against the gerrymander that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled yesterday.” -Politico

King Charles is knocking it out of the park with a speech that weaves British and American history in a way aimed at finding a way forward together. He’s clearly got Congress in the palm of his hand. Their over the top enthusiasm is a bit unsettling in this important anniversary year.

The persecution of James Comey has resumed. www.cnbc.com/2026/04/28/j...

What a way to welcome the royals. “Trump’s ballroom construction is looming over the greeting ceremony. A crane can be seen lowering into the spot where the East Wing used to be. As Trump prepared to enter the South Lawn, construction equipment could be heard banging.” -NYT

i for one will not be lectured on civility by a President and Administration that is the most corrupt, coarse, cruel and hateful presidencies in our nation's history. STFU!

Trump wants Jimmy Kimmel fired for a joke. I want Trump fired for rape, abuse, fraud, theft, corruption, and a derelict of duty.

May we all be as happy as baby goats. 🥰

Bing Crosby in Paris 🚲 #bikesky #vintage #photography #bicycle #bike #paris #streetstyle #cycling #cyclinglife #biking #cycle #vélo 🚴

The administration that normalized cruelty is now demanding a talk show host be fired for a joke. This isn't a stand against toxicity, it’s an authoritarian attempt to label all mockery of the President as "hate speech." They’re banking on you forgetting their last decade of vitriol. Don't.

A very thoughtful monologue last night by @maddow.bsky.social on the responsiveness of this admin. to citizen protests. “They’ve made clear over and over again since the start …they would prefer to do things that are easy and right now this (the siting of ICE prisons) is hard.”