In 2024, Virginia received $4.3M from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It's used for internet services, reading programs, free access to licensed databases, and more for patrons. Trump is trying to eliminate IMLS. Please contact your senators and representatives if you disagree.

Slate reads the book Meta doesn't want you to read (so much that they went to court): slate.com/technology/2...

Yes, that *was* important for the American people to see, Mr. President. Because diplomacy is not forcing someone to do something. So now we know claims that Zelensky is rejecting diplomacy are bullshit.

The food of my people. I have eaten all of it ... except hog maw, and I hope it stays that way. 😆

Ends up you can't run the federal government like a car company.

Musk demanding info on what every government employee did all week is no different than Aetna demanding I see their "specialist" to get meds approval. I have doctors. And these folks have a boss; it isn't Elon Musk. No one should respond to the message. Traps don't work if no one takes the bait.

Federal government employees need a break after 2 weeks of insanity, so last night we grabbed the Verigans (and our kid) and went to Alamo Drafthouse's "Napoleon Dynamite" movie party with Efren Ramirez (Pedro). It was fantastic. We laughed, we wore side ponytails, it was much needed.

FIGHT

Trump admin: Laws have no meaning anymore, unless lawbreaking affects *you.* So DOGE team Akash Bobba (age 21), Edward Coristine (19), Ethan Shaotran (22), Luke Farritor (23), Gautier Cole Killian (24), and Gavin Kliger (25) can breathe easy, despite breaking multiple laws themselves.

Are the folks who voted for Trump because he was going to lower grocery prices going to rise up against him, or are they going to make excuses for him yet again? What about when Elon takes their Medicare payment away?

Have you long desired to partake of gravy from General Washington's head? Does your syrup require a little colonial spice? General Washington shall save your waffles from an ignoble legacy! Huzzah!

The ceiling at dinner last night

Five longtime holds came in within a week of each other, right after I picked up a goodie or three. Plus I got some ARCs from Norton in the mail yesterday -- the new Lydia Millet short story collection and a promising-looking debut. And here I was finally going to start "Infinite Jest" in February.

It was either the best week or the worst week to read "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis. Things that happened in the book AND in reality last week:

I still consider this season a massive success. Get rid of your asshole sexual-predator billionaire owner, make the playoffs, piss former owner off -- all wins.

Dream scenario: California calls Trump's bluff, starts a modern Nullification Crisis, causes enough of a monetary delay that the administration has to negotiate. Fight a power-tripping money hog with money.