The Weekly Readlines June 16

From the Editor’s Desk: “The rest is gravy.” I don’t remember where I heard that phrase, but it’s always stayed with me. It means that life has many difficult moments, many trying periods and eras in our lives, but when we can meet them with grace and even some degree of humor, “the rest is gravy.” I feel that way today. I may not tomorrow, but for now I’ve managed to step back and readjust my perspective. The failure of the military parade to instill fear, while rightfully making us laugh and almost (but never quite) feel sorry for the man who needed it to validate his greatness, helped tremendously. So did seeing an estimated 4 million people say, “Oh no, you don’t,” in protests across the country.

There are plenty of reasons to be dispirited in these times, but America has survived many fissures, many fractures. We will survive this. We will have elections. We will have the opportunity to repair at least some of the damage being done. But this regime and its godhead have shown themselves again and again to be not just paper tigers, but tissue paper tigers. A little rain, rows of half-empty bleachers at an embarrassing military parade, an elderly man falling asleep at every presidential event he attends. Seriously? This is what terror looks like? Not today.

BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S STOP STORIES

Democratic Lawmakers Murdered in Minnesota

No Means No: No Kings Protests Draw 4 Million

Posse Comiwhat? Trump Plays Dictator in L.A.

Parade Flop: Low Turnout at Trump’s Best Birthday Ever

LGBTQ

Simone Biles Stands Up To Hate, Using Her Platform To Speak Out

The LGBT Community Shows Up For Worldpride In D.C., Despite Some Worries About Trump

Aging LGBTQ+ Community Struggles With Generational Divide In Evolving Fight For Equality

U.S. AND BEYOND

US Measles Count Nears 1200 Cases As Ohio Officials Confirm 3 Outbreaks Are Over

Federal Prosecutor Reportedly Quit Over Concern Ábrego García Indictment Was Politically Motivated