Illiberalism
Gilead
Donald Trump
Coup attempt
Fig. 1. “Jake Angeli (Qanon Shaman), seen holding a Qanon sign at the intersection of Bell Rd and 75th Ave in Peoria, Arizona, on 2020 October 15.” Photography by TheUnseen011101 [pseud.], October 15, 2020, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
It will be amazing if Donald Trump actually complies with the terms of the bond agreement in the Georgia case. The terms require him to abstain from witness intimidation or any interference with the trial.[1] He’ll actually have to keep his fucking mouth shut.
Jennifer Rubin, “Why Trump’s Georgia case likely can’t be removed to federal court,” Washington Post, August 20, 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/20/georgia-trump-trial-move-federal-court/
Holly Bailey, “Judge approves $200,000 bond for Trump in Georgia election case,” Washington Post, August 21, 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/08/21/trump-georgia-bond-election-2020/
Tori Otten, “Mike Pence and Mark Meadows Just Ruined Trump’s Defense in Classified Docs Case,” New Republic, August 21, 2023, https://newrepublic.com/post/175098/mike-pence-mark-meadows-just-ruined-trumps-defense-classified-docs-case
Roman-Catholic Church
Sex
Fig. 1. “Lust, from the ‘Seven Deadly Sins.’” Etching by Léon Davent, circa 1550-1555, via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Roman Catholic church some of my childhood friends (from when I lived in Pittsburgh as a child) attended now sports an electronic sign, which among other things, calls “chastity the pathway to human flourishing.” Really.
It takes some chutzpah for the Roman Catholic Church to push celibacy when there are so many lawsuits over pedophile priests that the San Francisco archdiocese has filed for bankruptcy.[2]
George Kelly, “San Francisco Catholic Archdiocese Files for Bankruptcy Amid Sex Abuse Lawsuits,” San Francisco Standard, August 21, 2023, https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/21/san-francisco-catholic-archdiocese-files-bankruptcy-sex-abuse/
The spotted lanternflies are out in force around Pittsburgh. At least one lands on my car while I’m driving, nearly every day. As I’m about to publish this issue, I’m parked outside the Potomac Station Coffeehouse in Dormont and passers by have stomped on at least four of them (yes, even vegans should do this) in the time I’ve been here.
- [1]Holly Bailey, “Judge approves $200,000 bond for Trump in Georgia election case,” Washington Post, August 21, 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/08/21/trump-georgia-bond-election-2020/↩
- [2]George Kelly, “San Francisco Catholic Archdiocese Files for Bankruptcy Amid Sex Abuse Lawsuits,” San Francisco Standard, August 21, 2023, ↩