Trump solicits a bribe from oil executives

He’s not even hiding what he’s doing. Give him $1 billion and he’ll give them tax breaks and other help. Disgraceful.

“Trump told the executives that he would start auctioning off more leases for oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, a priority that several of the executives raised. He railed against wind power. And he said he would reverse the restrictions on drilling in the Alaskan Arctic.” https://t.co/HPXKoqqogl
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) May 9, 2024

Big Oil execs met at #MarAlago and…
"Trump’s response stunned several of the execs: You all are wealthy enough, that you should raise $1 billion to return me to the White House. He vowed to immediately reverse dozens of President #Biden #environmental rules & policies & stop… pic.twitter.com/HhJt76Ptdz
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) May 9, 2024

Big Oil is literally writing up Executive Orders for Trump to sign on Day 1 — with the promise of $1 billion in return.

He’s giving away our planet in return for cash.

Have we just accepted this as the new norm?? pic.twitter.com/7XCWh1DygF
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) May 9, 2024

Trump reportedly asked oil executives for $1 billion last month, promising he'd roll back Biden's climate measures. Meanwhile, fossil fuel lawyers and lobbyists are already drafting executive orders for Trump to sign if he wins in November.

Story: https://t.co/xaerJQpaTs pic.twitter.com/LM95OizNg1
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 9, 2024

Big Oil is doing way better under Biden than under Trump

Minor league baseball salaries have increased

How Much Are Minor League Baseball Players Paid In 2024?

We break down the dramatic difference between the numbers and benefits provided to players in 2019 compared to 2024.https://t.co/DKGKLF8q3n pic.twitter.com/jcHRTqb3jQ
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 9, 2024

Simon Rottenberg's 1956 paper reports median minor-league salaries in 1950 by level. I've converted them to annual salaries in 2017 dollars, presented next to the current MiLB salary scale. https://t.co/M7enKcqMrr pic.twitter.com/toKvFQntMJ
— J.C. Bradbury (@jc_bradbury) March 22, 2018

Tweets on the Flint Water Crisis

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/07/01/flint-lead-pipes-replacement/

Flint was founded on a riverbank, and water powered its rise. But these days, the betrayal of trust by the very institutions meant to protect residents has made some extra cautious as they look to keep themselves and their community safe. https://t.co/Sd8Fnt3tny
— ProPublica (@propublica) May 7, 2024

The Flint water crisis is not over, ten years later

My family has lived in this city for generations. We still don’t have the power to shape our future.https://t.co/j5pJr82tPm
— Global Black Studies at Duke (@DukeAAAS) May 6, 2024

Washington Post article on Social Security

Overall, a good article but it should have the clarification noted in my comment below. The Social Security Administration administers SSI but the payments come from general funds.

Your article should note that Supplemental Security Income is funded from U. S. Treasury general funds, not the trust funds used for Social Security and Medicare.
— Harris Levy (@HarrisL585) May 6, 2024

The decline in walking to work

I walked to work for 35 years. I knew I would always get some exercise every day I went to work. There was a downside of living close to work. When it snowed, I couldn’t say I can’t shovel out my shoes. I also couldn’t say my shoes wouldn’t start.

In 1960, one in ten Americans walked to work.

Today, less than one-in-forty do.

cc: @opinion pic.twitter.com/JhKKOaavHm
— Steven Rattner (@SteveRattner) May 6, 2024

Republicans lie about their position on abortion

I don't think they are trying to moderate. The anti-choice zealots are not going to change the views they have had for decades. They are just going to lie to try to deceive voters. As for Trump, he doesn't have any principles. He'll just say what he thinks benefits him.
— Harris Levy (@HarrisL585) May 5, 2024

The proposed national 15 week ban is a popular position pic.twitter.com/5nW4l3iT6D
— Matthew (@void_type) May 5, 2024

I’m not going to argue with these folks on Twitter. I won’t change their mind and they won’t change mind. The 15 week limit does have some public support. However,

There are17 red states with abortion bans much stricter than 15 weeks. I don’t see how anyone can say that 15 weeks is the Republican position. See the chart linked to below
There is majority support for opposing the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This contradicts the support for 15 week limits.
The bottom line is that the Republican politicians are lying about their abortion positions because they know they are not popular.

States where abortion is legal, banned or under threat.

65 percent of Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade almost two years later. With states enacting more and more extreme laws, restoring the right to reproductive freedom is critical.https://t.co/MhNVWoKTne
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) May 2, 2024

Paste’s top 20 baseball films

I have seen many but not all of these.

My favorites are:

Eight Men Out
Major League
Bull Durham

It's the 75th anniversary of The Stratton Story, where Jimmy Stewart flings fastballs and suffers tragedy. We updated our ranking of the best baseball movies in its honor: https://t.co/P1NNjmM5Qf
— Paste Movies (@PasteMovies) April 22, 2024

Junior Wells by Frederick Brown

This painting of musician Junior Wells by Frederick Brown. It’s at the Smithsonian American Art Museum but is currently not on display. They own five of his works. I’ve seen Stagger Lee and it’s great.

Here’s Brown’s website. He made many paintings of musicians.

The Junior Wells painting was used for an exhibit poster (see my copy below). That’s where I saw the painting.

Frederick Brown, Junior Wells, 1989, oil on linen, 36 x 30 in. (91.4 x 76.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by William Cost Johnson, George W. Story, Robert J. Oliver and Mrs. Barwig-Wagner, 1990.31

I downloaded the picture from the Smithsonian.

Capturing the essence of the musicians and the music

Covers: Watching the Wheels

John Lennon recorded “Watching the Wheels” in 1980 before he was murdered. It was released as a single in 1981. I was reminded of it by this Instagram post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Celfo Industries (@celfoindustries)

The Baltimore bridge tragedy brings out the right-wing bigots and conspiracy theorists

Kook conspiracy theories have always been with us (moon landing was staged, etc.). The difference now is that they move faster than ever—like within minutes of some event occurring. Check out the bilge from the Baltimore bridge accident: https://t.co/onQXLRdZYn
— Paul Farhi (@farhip) March 28, 2024

https://wapo.st/3TTsLjZ