It’s about damned time, Mr. He-man. With luck and good strategy the damage you were about to inflict on this nation will be offset by someone with bona fide leadership skills. Go back to your man cave and pound salt! Platner ends U.S. Senate campaign in Maine www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Regarding Reform UK, there’s much more sleaze to come. Are they possibly getting (mis)advised by Nige’s buddies in MAGA’s orbit in the US? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

For those interested in the state of British politics with regard to the Reform party, here’s yet another banger: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

So disappointed in these local elected officials who have broken and squandered the public's trust. I was anticipating something like this after their daughter was indicted last month, but am still beyond disgusted. www.wcia.com/news/champai...

Nige: Let’s see what the people of Clacton-on-Sea have to say. It’s been a stronghold for UKIP and now Reform. UK’s version of MAGA? Just another bunch of laddish yobs. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This feels like a good time to note that, indeed, USWNT is the winningest team in international sports history (win percentage: 84) the18.com/en/soccer-en...

To add to my previous post, this program was the idea of the Hawai’i America250 Commission, and is brilliant! Hope you can join in or near your hometown. There’s a map showing locations where events are scheduled. Check it out! hawaiiamerica250.org/sharing-the-...

On July 8, join members of your community across the US for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The first public reading of the Declaration was by Col. John Nixon in the PA State House yard (now Independence Hall) at noon on July 8, 1776. www.champaigncountyhistory.org/america250

“Sailing down my dirty stream, still I love it and I’ll keep the dream that someday, though maybe not this year, my Hudson River will once again run clear.” RIP Pete Seeger. www.reuters.com/world/us/ves...

A great image, especially the Farage by the Imperial Bank of Brexit. Thanks Nige. Also the reference to Mags Thatcher, the lady’s not for turning. Question I’ll ask again and again: why did these people have to live through Brexit to understand how profoundly ignorant a political decision it was?

Is this nuts or what? Be sure to also read the court filing linked in the article (which I couldn’t figure out how to directly post). newrepublic.com/maz/post/212...

The Many Ways Trump Is Trying to Tip the Scales for the Midterms www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

We need Pete. Maybe that’s asking too much… www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

There Is a Model for Shackling Presidential Power www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/o...

A late repost, but worth it. Andy puts it so well: substack.com/@borowitzrep...

Octopus can change color using thousands of specialized pigment cells in their skin called chromatophores. By expanding and contracting these cells, they can change colors and skin textures in a fraction of a second. Some species are simply famous for their extreme abilities. #octopus #marinelife

Read this and weep for our country, then get out there and elect upstanding leaders to get us back on track: open.substack.com/pub/petebutt...

Really?? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

One in five Americans said they would move permanently to another country if they could — a 54% increase since 2020 — a poll found. Here are five countries that offer attractive residency programs.

Allerton Park & Retreat Center, in Monticello, IL, deeded to the U. of Illinois by Robt. Allerton in 1946, was home to the wealthy Allerton and his same sex partner John Gregg. Robert, was the scion of robber baron Samuel. Both were believed to be racist anti-Semites. grokipedia.com/page/robert_...

When this administration falls, we’ll have lots of work to do to undo so much damage: Where Trump Has Installed Election Deniers in Government www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

There’s a sickness in our country evidenced by yesterday’s primary results in Maine and S. Carolina. Those who voted to put these candidates on the ballot, should they win election in Nov., will have to live with those poor choices, and the inevitable damage they will inflict. wapo.st/4v6X3QA

Kudos to staff at the Chicago Tribune for their hard hitting reporting of Operation Midway Blitz. www.pulitzer.org/winners/staf...

Where Does the Maine Senate Race Go Next? www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/u...

Bookend the following great discussion with Andrew Weissman’s discussion with Katie Couric, also from earlier today, youtu.be/8hLqi8Y44Oo?... substack.com/@klasfeldrep...

Heed Sherrilyn’s words: open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...

Something stinks in Champaign County, Illinois, and this could have wider implications, I am very sorry to say. www.news-gazette.com/news/former-...

Super news! www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...

Can I really be the first person to think of Jeff Goldblum? "scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should."

Papilio polyxenes, Eastern black swallowtail, seen yesterday, 6/2/26, just outside my garden feeding on the open ground.

Papilio glaucus - Eastern tiger swallowtail. In my garden this morning. First noticed them a few days ago. Delightfully focused on feeding.

Thank you Governor Pritzker for all you’ve done for Illinois. Thanks to Heather for highlighting this for us. So much good passes under the radar these days due to the ugly cacophony leaching out from the White House and supporters. substack.com/@heathercoxr...

I want you to hear straight from me about what happened at Delaney Hall on Monday and what I saw inside the facility. ICE out of control. GEO Group profiting off of human misery. People living in inhumane conditions. Let me walk you through it.

I’m attending a live Town Hall meeting this evening with my member of Congress, Nikki Budzinski serving the 13th congressional district of Illinois. Waiting for the program to begin…

As someone once said, “be careful what you wish for…” Judge Reopens Trump I.R.S. Suit, Questioning ‘Weaponization’ Fund www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/u...

Please take a look and express your support: www.sevendaysinjune.org

Read this and maybe you’ll consider unsubscribing from The Daily Beast until he is purged. I have. open.substack.com/pub/ellieleo...