Support Independent Bookstores

Baltimore Magazine had a fine article on local independent bookstores. The Barnes and Noble store at the Inner Harbor closed but I think there are more independent bookstores here than ever.

I especially recommend Charm City Books which is only a few blocks from my house. It’s a great store with a knowledgeable and helpful staff. They are a real asset to the neighborhood and the city. For example, they hold book drives for schools and other worthy causes, for example. I don’t see Amazon doing that. Charm City Books posts often on Instagram and I recommend following them.

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Here’s a recent post about a Charm City Books book drive where they are collaborating with several other local independent bookstores:

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The extreme right-wing Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is now the policymaking vanguard of the Republican Party.

I explain here: https://t.co/IIzxE2agKb
— Paul Waldman (@paulwaldman1) January 25, 2022

I have a new piece up at @ballsstrikes about one of the biggest threats posed by the Republican Supreme Court: the majority simply ignoring the unambiguous text and purpose of statutes when Congress's policy preferences are inconsistent with GOP orthodoxy https://t.co/AAncNDNYrt
— Scott Lemieux (@LemieuxLGM) January 24, 2022

By the way, Justice Thomas’s wife is on the advisory board of a group that filed an amicus brief supporting this anti- affirmative action case (the National Assoc. Of Scholars.)And she gave its leader a prize. https://t.co/zzB98tcPZd
— Jane Mayer (@JaneMayerNYer) January 25, 2022

People need to understand that the Supreme Court could use this case not just to eliminate affirmative action, but also do massive damage to the entirety of US civil rights, reinforcing racial gaps like K-12 school segregation by requiring government institutions to ignore them https://t.co/Hyh10oEg6m
— Will Stancil (@whstancil) January 24, 2022

Read @RuthMarcus And realize yet again that the right-wing waridal judges and justices are making a mockery of adherence to the law. This is banana republic stuff, and the Supreme Court now is dominated by partisan radical hacks. https://t.co/8wz0QJMeh7
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) January 25, 2022

Update on gerrymandering in Alabama

Looks like the right-wing Supreme Court is fine with racism. This is a bad decision.

The SCOTUS decision in Alabama can't be considered a surprise given the makeup of the court, but it wasn't a foregone conclusion. It both narrows the Democratic path to a more balanced congressional map and further clouds the already murky standards for 'majority-minority' CDs
— Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) February 7, 2022

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, allowed a congressional map drawn by Alabama Republicans to remain in place Monday, freezing a lower court ruling that said the map likely violates the Voting Rights Act, per ⁦@Arianedevogue⁩ https://t.co/UJzgokyBvJ
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 7, 2022

BREAKING: By a 5–4 vote, with Roberts joining the liberals in dissent, the Supreme Court halts a lower court order that required Alabama to redraw its congressional map, which diluted Black votes in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) February 7, 2022

The SCOTUS stay is obviously a huge win for Republicans and a blow to a coalition of Dems/civil rights groups seeking an additional Black opportunity seat in AL (and LA/SC). The 6R-1D GOP map will stand for 2022, and possibly longer.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) February 7, 2022

The Supreme Court's order and dissents can be found here. https://t.co/VfdCaw3aos

This is another major blow to the Voting Rights Act that will likely preserve Alabama's current racist gerrymander.
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) February 7, 2022

Alabama officials asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let the state use its new map for congressional district boundaries, after a lower court said the map violated the Voting Rights Act. https://t.co/UObP6HxhdI
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 29, 2022

BREAKING: The Supreme Court has put on hold a lower court ruling that Alabama must draw new congressional districts before the 2022 elections, boosting Republican chances to hold six of the state’s seven seats in the House of Representatives. https://t.co/nA0JJ5CEPu
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 7, 2022

If courts were to insist on two Black *majority* districts in Alabama (#AL02 and #AL07 in the hypothetical below), the most at-risk GOP incumbents would be Reps. Jerry Carl (R) #AL01 and Barry Moore (R) #AL02, who could get merged into one Mobile/Wiregrass seat. pic.twitter.com/oyXUgRXzQh
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 25, 2022

At issue here: the GOP-passed Alabama map keeps Black voters packed in just one district, #AL07 (left), when it would be possible to draw *two* comfortable Black opportunity seats (hypothetical #AL06 and #AL07, right). pic.twitter.com/zQHeYvTS4w
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 25, 2022

Wow. Federal court strikes down AL GOP congressional map, orders a second Black opportunity district to be drawn (currently just 1/7 in a 27% Black state). Huge win for plaintiffs/Dems, though this is certainly headed for an appeal to SCOTUS. https://t.co/a4LiNZLtxc pic.twitter.com/HxQTvqeJwF
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 25, 2022

This was an action by an arm of the GOP doing the work of the party and has nothing to do with justice. https://t.co/jRVC77qFF3
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) February 7, 2022

Kavanaugh: "If the District Court’s judgment is eventually affirmed after appellate review, the injunction can take effect for congressional elections that occur after 2022."

Translation: it's perfectly ok to harm minority voting rights for at least one election cycle!
— Josh Douglas (@JoshuaADouglas) February 7, 2022

Update on gerrymandering in Tennessee

Tennessee Republicans passed an ambitious gerrymander that resulted in the biggest shakeup to the state's House delegation since 2010. The map dismantles the old TN-5 in order to create an 8-1 map that should most if not the entire decade. pic.twitter.com/4NfsdlQa2O
— Drew Savicki (@DrewSav) April 9, 2022

An urban county of 700,000 people that voted 65 pct for Biden and is 35 percent Black and Hispanic will henceforth be represented only by Republicans in Congress: https://t.co/HcqJKr2ra9
— Alec MacGillis (@AlecMacGillis) February 19, 2022

Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper will retire at the end of this year, after Tennessee Republicans shredded his Nashville-based district into three pieces in redistricting https://t.co/mzOeYiqVkp
— POLITICO (@politico) January 25, 2022

No surprise here, after new GOP map came out flipping #TN05 from Biden +24 to Trump +11. Cooper becomes the 29th House Dem to forgo reelection. https://t.co/vVppsVC8CH
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 25, 2022

It looks like this GOP proposal flips #TN05 from Biden +24 to ~Trump +9 – likely close enough to be competitive by the end of the decade, but would be a likely GOP pickup in 2022. https://t.co/DlzEuQNmea
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 12, 2022

Youngkin is just like Abbott and DeSantis

The whole party is extremely confrontational and right-wing

Youngkin has decided to begin his governorship by emulating Abbott & DeSantis in waging war against his largest, most prosperous population centers-in a very different state. https://t.co/dDsLQ3UAam
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) January 25, 2022

Seeing lots of musing about Youngkin and why he didn't go the benign Hogan/Baker route, and beyond the fact that VA isn't those states, nor did he run like those guys, it bears repeating that Virginia gov is a one term office. Use the platform to do what you can, while you can.
— Liam Donovan (@LPDonovan) January 24, 2022

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is just more than a week into his governorship, issued an executive order on his first day in office delegating to parents the decision on whether children wear masks at school. https://t.co/9tSpYgyQHp
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 24, 2022

“Youngkin stormed into Richmond with an assertion of executive power that has thrilled the GOP base but caught even some allies off guard, and he has made clear that he views his two-point margin of victory as a mandate for conservative change.” https://t.co/2hMJrJNC0k
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 23, 2022

This is going to be the solution to Covid lots of states choose: out of sight, out of mind. They’re going to stop testing ppl even when they’ve had close contacts with infected ppl. And some red states will almost certainly soon stop reporting Covid deaths on a regular basis. https://t.co/9V1vgR5HDR
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) January 20, 2022

For all people saying Youngkin is just doing what he said he would do by banning local school mask mandates … nope!

In November he said, "Localities are going to have to make decisions the way the law works" (h/t @terrellwrites )https://t.co/MZXMYXwe07
— Bill Scher (@billscher) January 17, 2022

Youngkin quickly extending to VA the war against the metro areas driving economic growth and innovation that characterizes modern GOP politics, especially in other Sunbelt states like FL GA TX NC & AZ https://t.co/L4Gd2StfPk
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) January 17, 2022

Newly inaugurated Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is already rolling back the priorities of his Democratic predecessors and running into opposition from counties he lost months earlier, specifically on the hot-button issue of mask requirements in schools. https://t.co/QOJsmGgmIj
— CNN (@CNN) January 18, 2022

Some Virginia school districts are already defying new Governor Youngkin's executive order upending mask mandates in schools @evamckend reports @PoppyHarlowCNN pic.twitter.com/oRlcXE8cPU
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) January 17, 2022

So much for the silly narrative that Youngkin was some normal R. As @TerryMcAuliffe predicted, he's brought DeSantis anti-mask nuttery to VA. Now at war with several school districts. He's only been in office a few days. Hey, VA this is what you voted for. Best of luck.
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) January 17, 2022

Youngkin referring to “parents” as though they’re a monolithic group totally in support of him is very telling https://t.co/3Twd5nCPsb
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 16, 2022

On Fox News, Glenn Youngkin defends his critical race theory ban by reciting the one and only MLK quote that Republicans are aware of pic.twitter.com/1vLFPfb97d
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 16, 2022

BREAKING: @GlennYoungkin is signing 11 executive actions on his first day in office. They include banning critical race theory, ending the statewide school mask mandate & rescinding the vax mandate for state employees @8NEWS pic.twitter.com/ToQGjUDxbB
— Jackie DeFusco (@Jackie8News) January 15, 2022

Glenn Youngkin is really going full Trump. The latest:

* He's now blaming the left for his mask fiasco

* He's defending his stance with epic bad faith/dishonesty

* He's actively inciting civil conflict when more judicious paths are available

My latest:https://t.co/GCOKSKiCkK
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) January 25, 2022

Echoing Abbott on abortion & DeSantis, also on classroom teaching, Youngkin wants conservatives to pursue a vigilante system of enforcing the "right" morality: “We’re asking for folks to send us reports and observations…help us be aware of their child being denied their rights" https://t.co/ZnGWqc9PSa
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) January 25, 2022

Opinion | We’re already seeing what a mistake Virginia’s voters made https://t.co/vUzwGPYdbL
— Eugene Robinson (@Eugene_Robinson) January 25, 2022

and DC press played big role in this —in the pocket of Youngkin campaign from day one https://t.co/4eYMvFKunM
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) January 25, 2022

1971 Orioles all-orange uniforms

Ugly alternate uniforms on a great team that lost the World Series to the Pirates.

The Orioles are wearing all orange uniforms on Saturday home games in 2025,

Left to right:

Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson, Dave McNally, Jim Palmer

The 1971 Orioles present two things you'll never see in baseball again: 1) a team with four 20-game winners; 2) the stones to wear solid orange uniforms. pic.twitter.com/JCrxKRmWL2
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 24, 2022

More background

ESPN included it in the scariest uniforms in sports

Been talking a lot of all-time Orioles today and all it does is remind me that this current team NEEDS to rock the all orange atleast once.

Last time we did it was 2010 I believe. pic.twitter.com/ziErQyEIWO
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) July 31, 2023

Bring back this uniform! #orioles https://t.co/buQdb6ROWW
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 31, 2023

1970s @MLB #Unicorns #PolyesterRankings #5: Technically, the @Orioles wore these all orange uniforms (supplied by Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods) for a few games each in 1971 and 1972. But, they are so awesome – and so rare – that they qualify for special "unicorn" status. pic.twitter.com/ZVftLn2CEo
— Vintage Jerseys & Hats (@PolyesterUnis) August 13, 2023

Right-wing Supreme Court goes against precedents and norms

They’ll gut or end Roe vs. Wade and affirmative action. They don’t care what anything looks like as long as they get their right-wing agenda through.

Steve is an essential follow for his ability to quantify how the post-Trump Court is abandoning even the most basic procedural norms. https://t.co/dXAcr1jVIv
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) January 24, 2022

With a bolstered conservative majority, the Supreme Court decides to revisit whether race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina are lawful. ⁦@adamliptak⁩ https://t.co/y36zrfk9Tj
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) January 24, 2022

Warren Zevon would have been 75 today

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Read David Fricke’s inside look at Zevon’s final album, made when the singer-songwriter faced terminal cancerhttps://t.co/pnBff17qGG
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 24, 2022

Today would have been @OfficialWZevon's 75th birthday: https://t.co/iu7hLG32ng
— UltimateClassicRock (@UltClassicRock) January 24, 2022

The great Warren Zevon would have been 75 today. He played many times with the Rock Bottom Remainders, possibly because he learned so much about music from me and Steve King. pic.twitter.com/fW5bPFFSfX
— Dave Barry (@rayadverb) January 24, 2022

Warren Zevon, the man who taught us to "Enjoy every sandwich," would have turned 75 today.

Watch the beloved singer-songwriter perform such favorites as "Excitable Boy," "Werewolves Of London" and "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" live in 1980 to celebratehttps://t.co/6uFNteyAK8
— JamBase (@JamBase) January 24, 2022

Republican hypocrisy on the Infrastructure funding

House Republicans tout infrastructure funding they voted against – ABC News – https://t.co/VCORvU77ax via @ABC
— Ben Siegel (@bensiegel) January 24, 2022

pic.twitter.com/D0Wuh3bHy0
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) November 16, 2021

More than 90% of House Republicans were against historic infrastructure investment that Pres. Biden and Democratic majorities delivered to rebuild our country.

But that pesky fact isn't stopping shameless press releases and tweets claiming credit as they #VoteNoAndTakeTheDough. pic.twitter.com/bTuUki3i2e
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) January 24, 2022

Some Republican members of Congress have praised initiatives made possible by the infrastructure law they opposed. Political analysts say they are not likely to be the last.https://t.co/ZE9sKOrlWP
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 24, 2022

"This year, the GOP is taking steps to complete the trifecta, claiming credit for the infrastructure package that Biden signed after the majority of congressional Republicans rejected the legislation."https://t.co/yO95madbbw
— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) January 22, 2022

Iowa's Ashley Hinson slammed for touting infrastructure bill she voted against.

It's good that the folks in Iowa read the news carefully and thoroughly.

They know that @RepAshleyHinson is one of those Republicans who #VoteNoAndTakeTheDough.https://t.co/jYRrGIUTSx #demvoice1
— (((Alan Rosenblatt, PhD))) (@DrDigiPol) January 21, 2022

Rep. @HinsonAshley wants to get credit for something she actively opposed and voted against. @RepCindyAxne and @POTUS are the reason we have the funding to modernize our locks and dams and create good-paying jobs for Iowans. https://t.co/pZkhCla8TS
— Iowa Democrats (@iowademocrats) January 23, 2022

This money came from President Biden’s infrastructure bill, which Ron DeSantis opposed. https://t.co/WeT0fAZl0n
— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) January 28, 2022

On Tuesday Rick Scott said he was “proud” to help secure “$1 billion for Everglades restoration.”

Senator Scott voted NO on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which provided for this funding.
— Jack Cocchiarella (@JDCocchiarella) January 26, 2022

Governor DeSantis is taking credit for over $80 million for infrastructure in Florida

But Florida’s entire GOP congressional delegation voted AGAINST Biden’s infrastructure bill, including Marco Rubio & Rick Scott

Ron is stealing credit, like he steals the lives of Floridians
— Lindy Li (@lindyli) January 28, 2022