The Breakfast Club (Arbitrary Power)

Welcome to The Breakfast Club! We’re a disorganized group of rebel lefties who hang out and chat if and when we’re not too hungover we’ve been bailed out we’re not too exhausted from last night’s (CENSORED) the caffeine kicks in. Join us every weekday morning at 9am (ET) and weekend morning at 10:00am (ET) (or whenever we get around to it) to talk about current news and our boring lives and to make fun of LaEscapee! If we are ever running late, it’s PhilJD’s fault.

This Day in History

The Chernobyl nuclear accident; John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln’s assassin, killed; Guernica bombed in the Spanish Civil War; Vermont enacts same-sex civil unions; TV star Lucille Ball dies.

Breakfast Tunes

Something to Think about over Coffee Prozac

The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth.

Frederick Law Olmsted

Breakfast News

US News

CDC: King County at ‘medium’ community level of COVID

Report urges California panel to deny desalination plant

Coal interests sue to block Pennsylvania’s carbon policy

Hearing set for NJ power plant in polluted neighborhood

Wildfires tear across several states, driven by high winds

Elon Musk to buy Twitter for $44B and take it private

Deputies: Florida bride, caterer served marijuana-laced food

Police: Florida woman threatened to bomb hungry son’s school

Dumpster find leads to rediscovery of artist Francis Hines

Woman rescued after falling in toilet trying to get phone

US Politics

Bridget Brink named as US ambassador to Ukraine

White House: Without funding US will lose COVID treatments

White House seeks more power to counter use of drones in US

Judge finds Donald Trump in contempt in New York legal fight

Supreme Court tackles case about praying football coach

Ducey signs bills limiting school mask, vaccination rules

McCarthy downplays remarks about Trump in secret recording

Trump endorsement hovers over prime-time GOP Senate debate

International News

Russia hits faraway targets; diplomat warns of risk of WWIII

US promises more Ukraine aid, Biden announces veteran envoy

Russia stripped of hosting figure skating Grand Prix event

Most of Beijing to be tested for COVID amid lockdown worry

N. Korea’s Kim vows to bolster nuke capability during parade

Thousands protest plan to raze German village for coal mine

Pastor-led shelters bring schooling options to migrant kids

Sports

Celtics complete 4-game sweep of Nets with 116-112 victory

Doncic scores 33, Mavs rout Jazz 102-77 for 3-2 series lead

Raptors top 76ers 103-88 behind Siakam, force Game 6 at home

Semien, Seager RBI singles for Texas in 6-2 win over Astros

Arenado’s error helps Mets stun Cards 5-2 with 5 in 9th

Taylor Ward hits 2 homers, Angels top Guardians 3-0

Harper, Hoskins lead Phillies past error-prone Rockies 8-2

ichette breaks tie with 1st slam, Blue Jays top Red Sox 6-2

González hits 1st MLB HR, Giants beat Brews to wrap up trip

Breakfast Blogs

HIV Isn’t Over In West Virginia Charles P. Pierce, Esquire Politics

War for Ukraine Update 61: Ukraine’s Defense Enters Its Third Month Adam L. Silverman, Balloon Juice

This Way to the Egress Betty Cracker, Balloon Juice

What about Kush? digby aka Heather Digby Parton, Digby’s Hullabaloo

Dear Nancy and Chuck Tim Sullivan, Digby’s Hullabaloo

Why We Can’t Have Nice Things: UK Regulator Dings Clever Ads As Being Too Good Mike Masnick, Techdirt

Secretive Private Company Shows No One — Not Even The NSA — Is Immune From Always-On Surveillance Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Leaked Marjorie Taylor Greene Texts Cast Doubt Upon Forgetful Testimony at Recent Disqualification Hearing Adam Klasfeld, Law & Crime

SCOTUS Agrees to Take Up Death Row Inmate Rodney Reed’s Petition for DNA Testing of Evidence Matt Naham, Law & Crime

IN 2024, WILL THE PRESS DECLARE TRUMP (OR DeSANTIS) THE WINNER EVEN IF HE LOSES? Steve M., No More Mister Nice Blog

GOP Pretty Sure Kevin McCarthy Just Emotionally Thinking Out Loud About Trump Resigning After Jan. 6 Michael Mora, Wonkette

GOP Reps Plotted With White House To Summon Mob To Capitol? Say It Ain’t So! Liz Dye, Wonkette

RIP Twitter Or Long Live Twitter Or Something Who Knows Evan Hurst, Wonkette

More Kids Being Killed By Firearms Than Literally Anything Else Now Robyn Pennacchia, Wonkette

Does Texas Really Want To Reelect Gov. Greg Abbott After He Set $4.2 Billion On Fire In Failed Border Stunt? Stephen Robinson, Wonkette