Matthew Budman

67 Followers
69 Following
391 Posts
News junkie, editor, faculty spouse, urban enthusiast, author of “Book Collecting Now.”
Helping my parents downsize, took a look at their receiver (a Kenwood TK-140X), and yeah, late-'60s folks really did need that one nerdy audiophile friend who knew how to set up stereo systems
Happy United Kingston Day to all who celebrate
“GOP’s nightmare scenario”: the sweetest of all possible words https://wapo.st/3Y3Hfyb
“Texas might say I’m breaking their laws, but I don’t live in Texas.” 🔥🔥🔥 https://wapo.st/3O3iayS
Blue-state doctors launch abortion pill pipeline into states with bans

At least 3,500 doses have been shipped to people living in antiabortion states since mid-June, a process enabled by new shield laws

The Washington Post

Professor Carolyne Ali Khan: “It’s not safe here anymore on so many levels. It’s not physically safe. It’s not economically safe. It’s not professionally safe. It’s not intellectually safe.”

The 100% likely response of Ron DeSantis & Chris Rufo: sneering that Florida is happy to see teachers leave. They see destroying higher education as a feature, not a bug. https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/07/06/are-florida-laws-chasing-university-faculty-away-some-see-brain-drain/

Are Florida laws chasing university faculty away? Some see a ‘brain drain.’

Tracking the reported exodus can be difficult, but evidence is starting to surface that it’s real.

Tampa Bay Times
In other news, ABC Records released Steely Dan’s second LP, COUNTDOWN TO ECSTASY, fifty years ago today. The chutzpah of making the great “Show Biz Kids” the leadoff single is still striking: five and a half minutes vamping on basically one chord, with the lyrics a sneering, profane kiss-off to the band’s fans. Damn. My #1 album of 1973. https://youtu.be/E2JWtuBLelw
Show Biz Kids - Steely Dan | The Midnight Special

YouTube

New: Erica Marsh became one of the most consistently viral liberal accounts on Twitter. Only problem: She's probably fake. Her account was suspended after we asked Twitter workers about it. Doesn't this kind of rage baiting make you angry? Boost if you agree

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/04/twitter-erica-marsh-suspended/

A viral left-wing Twitter account may have been fake all along

For months, the Erica Marsh account had raised suspicions among online misinformation experts due to her lack of a real-world footprint and her devotion to attention-grabbing viewpoints one called “cartoonishly liberal.”

The Washington Post
Happy one-year anniversary to Fox News downplaying "the legal doctrine of starry decisiveness." (Yes, the tweet is still up and online.)
Finally found time to take in this stunning Sally Jenkins article about the fifty-year Evert–Navratilova rivalry/friendship. It's as beautifully written, and as moving, as promised. A genuine must-read. https://wapo.st/3pG40LT
Tennis rivals Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova fought cancer together

After decades as rivals and friends, tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova found themselves more intertwined than ever as they battled cancer.

The Washington Post
In other news, fifty years ago today, Dutch quartet Golden Earring released its ninth album, MOONTAN, featuring perhaps the greatest driving song EVER. Hard for whoever's in the passenger seat to resist playing the whole "Radar Love" drum solo on the dashboard. https://youtu.be/aRlSHG5hRY4
Golden Earring - Radar Love (Official Music Video [HD])

YouTube