Another in a (generally ) weekly series of posts with interesting reading / viewing material (note: some linked articles contain adult language).
We’re all a bit overwhelmed by the steady flow of dread in the news — but it’s my contention that there are just a handful of key stories in the news each week, but we’re flooded by a million “hot takes” on those few things. So I’m now going to organize these posts along the lines of (no more than) 5 things a week. Look over the things’ titles, see which of them are of interest, read into them as far as you want to go — an easy way to implement a media diet!
Thing 1 — White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The White House sent 5 of the 6 top people in the list of presidential succession to the WHCD, provided poor security, and a shooter showed up as well. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured in the ensuing mess, and the would-be assassin was captured, but the follow-up by the administration was less than stellar — the attack is now being used to portray Trump’s proposed ballroom as being urgently needed, and Trump is using it as an excuse to once again attempt to take a comedian off the air (even though his joke was not too dissimilar from one recently told by the White House press secretary).
Die Another Day (Wonkette)
Trump evacuated after shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner
DC gala shooting suspect aired grievances against Trump in writings to family
Don’t be Intimidated (Kinzinger)
The WHCD shooter’s manifesto reveals how he got closer to Trump than anyone realized
A Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
On the subject of would-be assassins
Trumps call for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel — again — after morbid joke about first lady
Defiant Jimmy Kimmel Goes Nuclear on Trump and Melania
President Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel. No, This Is Not From Last September.
Thing 2 — The Supreme Court and the Voting Rights Act
Yes, the “Supremes” went and essentially killed the Voting Rights Act. And they did it early in this term, so now a number of southern states are scrambling to redistrict to further reduce the political power of ethnic minorities in time for the midterms.
The Supreme Court’s Conservatives Just Issued the Worst Ruling in a Century
The Supreme Court’s Ruling Gutting The Voting Rights Act Has Been Decades In The Making
The Supreme Court Republicans Make America Safe for White Republicans
What the Court Did in Callais—And Why It Matters
SCOTUS Sinks Voting Rights Act: Evening Roundup
Supreme Court turbocharges redistricting war
Louisiana postpones primaries as states rush to redraw districts after supreme court ruling
Kamala Just Told The Democrats To Get Fucking Ruthless. And It’s About Bloody Time
Thing 3 — Iran
It’s over… no, it’s not… yes, it is… Hegseth gets feisty when questioned by Congress, and the White House once again attempts to sidestep the Constitution.
Trump’s Iran Fiasco: 20 Disasters Wrapped in One Monstrous Megamess
Pentagon Pete Blows Up at Hearing Before Being Shut Up by Republican
Trump Goons Try New Word to Hide His Biggest Catastrophe
Pentagon Pete Hearing Descends Into Chaos as Protesters Slam Him
May 1, 2026 HCR
Congress Can’t Meet Its Own Iran-War Deadline
The Real Reason Trump Doesn’t Want Congress To Vote on War Powers
Thing 4 — James Comey
The DOJ is still chasing after James Comey due to a photo of sea shells, and it’s still stupid.
Manic Trump Desperately Scrambles to Explain DOJ’s ‘Worst Case Ever’
Trump Wasn’t Whacked. But He’s a Whack Job.