Patti Smith

In a recent post, If He Wins Again, on his blog, Stuff That Needs To Be Said, John Pavlovitz wrote that "If he wins, we’re going to do everything we’re doing today: we’re going to speak clearly and advocate for vulnerable people and loudly demand truth, and we’re going to leverage our lives and our platforms and our influence for equality, justice, and decency-- because if he wins again, these things will be far more threatened than they are right now.

Let's take a few minutes away from impeachment, Ukraine and China-- although I do want to mention the reporting did for the Wall Street Journal, about how Trump lied to Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) when Johnson confronted him about the

Thursday, we discussed New Mexico's plan to fully fund tuition in public colleges and universities for all its students. That's delivering-- something Pelosi and her pathetic leadership team doesn't understand in any way shape or form.

The Billboard Top 10 didn't look even vaguely familiar to me this week. "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus is #1. Post Malone has the #2 and #3 song, #3 with Swae Lee. Ariana Grande has the #4 slot with "7 Rings." Halsey's "Without Me" is #5. The Jonas Brothers was basically a commercial concoction of Disney's for little children in 2005 and are now grown adults with little children of their own-- and a big hit, "Sucker" (#6). "Dancing With A Stranger" by Sam Smith and Normani is #7; and... remember Halsey back at #5?

As I've mentioned a couple of times, a month or so ago Ted Lieu and I had a meeting with the leaders of VoteCommonGood, an evangelical group eager to help Democrats take back Congress in November. Their goal is to help put a check on Trump who they feel is immensely dangerous.

-by Melody SieglerOh, just shush. Or course not. She’s a Woman. Women always hold to higher moral values than men. And to stray a bit, in the South where I now live, they are always kinder. They say things like “I really like your dress. Did you make it yourself?” I’ve been an expert seamstress since the age of 12 (really) so clearly that was a Supreme Compliment.

France was an absolute monarchy in 1302 when the aristocracy (including ecclesiastics) forced a semi-parliament, the Estates-General, on the crown in return for agreeing to pay taxes. With few exceptions, the body had little power and France remained an absolute monarchy.

Labour's Jeremy Corbyn is drawing huge crowds across the U.K., just the way Bernie Sanders is here in the U.S.-- and for similar reasons. Both progressives are battling a distrusted and failed political Establishment and championing the concept of power to the people-- the polar opposite of what Trump is championing: power to the strong man who will look out for you (one of the roots of fascism). Corbyn's popularity is going through the roof.

A few days ago, writing for The Nation, John Nichols covered Patti Smith's European concert tour, which marks the 40th anniversary of the release of her groundbreaking debut LP, Horses, by marveling at how the veteran rocker is giving Europe a masterclass in focused protest rock that puts younger artists to shame. Her patter between songs sounds something like a cross between Bernie Sanders and Alexis Tsipras. Go Patti!