🇺🇦 Ukraine Is Losing Eastern European Allies — The Atlantic

This sucks.

But also this quote…

I do not believe that they are guided by humanitarian or Christian considerations. This is the most cynical politics there is. It ends and begins with electoral efficacy.

…is too reminiscent of the Republican agenda.

🐘 The Republican Delusion Machine — The Atlantic

I feel like these articles about the GOP always say the same thing in different words. This one is no different, but still does it effectively through the lens of the past week.

🏀 My issue with the modern NBA — Manuel Moreale

I love basketball too much to ever turn away from it even as it’s become more circus than sport. From watching Jordan as a kid in Chicago to playing college basketball in the city… but everything Manuel says here is still true. And super sad.

🎤 Cool About It (Live on Colbert) — boygenius

Really cool to see them playing live, circled around a single microphone.

🤖 Transformers #1 — Image Comics

Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) launched the new Energon Universe with Void Rivals at Image/Skybound and now we finally have Transformers from Daniel Warren Johnson—I’m not even a Transformer/GI Joe fan and I’m excited.

👱‍♀️ Monica by Daniel Clowes — Fantagraphics

Haven’t actually read it yet, but I’m very excited to pick-up a copy of this one.

🥁 Chad Smith hears 30 Seconds to Mars for the First Time — Drumeo

It’s incredible to see guys like this pick up patterns so easily while also bringing their own flavor. This is why I get depressed when I hear music without real drums. Every song is better with real drummers behind a kit.

🏈 The Bears Are The Biggest Embarrassment — Defector

This Crud Bowl did not disappoint, as both teams were able to find plenty of ways to humiliate themselves within the confines of 60 minutes of football.

The good news for the Bears is that they currently have a hold on the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, as well as the rights to the 0-4 Panthers’ pick, which is currently slotted at No. 2 overall. Those two teams play each other on Thursday Night Football on Nov. 9. Clear your schedules.

First the Cubs choke away their playoff spot and now the Bears look like they could go 0-16… The Bulls aren’t going to be much better either from the looks of it… It’s like Chicago Sports want me to live in despair for eternity… Hopefully Bedard becomes a superstar. And fast…

🏛️ Kevin McCarthy’s Brief Speakership Meets Its End — The Atlantic

Part of me feels like the Dems should’ve let him stay since, in the end, he did work with them to avoid the shutdown. Now there’s a month to get both a new speaker and avoid a shutdown.

🎞️ Wes Anderson’s Roald Dahl Quartet Abounds in Audacious Artifice and Stinging Political Critique — The New Yorker

I adored these short films and thought where Anderson faltered (for me) with the framing devices in Asteroid City, he absolutely nailed here.

🎶 Theia / The Silver Cord / Set — King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

If you’ve never listened to KGLW, please don’t start here. These three songs announcing their next album (27 Oct) are super weird, which is fitting given they are the weirdest, most creative band active right now.

🌐 Arc Max adds AI — The Browser Company

I’ve been a bit of a skeptic of all the AI stuff and have been slow to adopt, but the renaming of downloads and tabs looks real nice.

🏈 Deion Sanders, the Inveterate Disruptor — The New Yorker

I’m sure there were people excited to trash Prime after the Oregon game, but there’s no doubting what he’s done with CO even if they aren’t quite a top 25 team yet. AZ and UCLA will be the games to watch for a real test.

🏛️ Kevin McCarthy Finally Defies the Right — The Atlantic

Unrelated, but I recently had a conversation with a family member (who is Ukrainian) about how he thinks the Dems are communists, but at the same time, he supports these idiots who don’t want to help Ukraine fight Russia… 🤦‍♂️

🏷️ No Labels makes its choice — Popular Information

Is No Labels a thinly disguised effort by Wall Street and Trump supporters to deny Biden a second term?

Great quick piece from Judd about No Labels and what’s happening in AZ that might potentially reveal their donors.

🎥 Leave The World Behind — Teaser

First feature film from Sam Esmail as writer/director since before Mr. Robot. And it has a star-studded cast with Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and Kevin Bacon. Hits Netflix December 8.

📹 I Bet You’re Wondering How I Got Here — Weekend Video

Just came across these Weekend Video folks as I was browsing trailers—I kind of liken them to a mix between Sandwich and Dropout. This fake trailer is pretty great.

📺 Our Flag Means Death S2 — HBO

Another second season premiering this Thursday, 6 Oct, at 6:00 PT / 9:00 ET on “Max”…

📺 Loki S2 — Disney

Trying something a little new—posting trailers for shows premiering this week directly here instead of the newsletter. Loki S2 hits Disney+ this Thursday, 6 Oct, 6:00 PT / 9:00 ET.

🏀 Celtics add Jrue Holiday in trade with Blazers — ESPN

I was hoping the Heat would snag Jrue, but he is also a perfect fit alongside Tatum and Brown. Ends up being a pretty great haul for Portland in the end.

⚽️ Liverpool’s Klopp fumes at ‘crazy decisions’ in loss to Spurs — ESPN

I didn’t get to watch, but it sounds like one where Liverpool deserved to at least come away with 1pt… between the Diaz disallowed goal and the two Jota yellows… Ugh… such a bummer.

 🎞️ Letterboxd Acquired by Canada’s Tiny in Deal Valuing It at $50 Million — Variety

Things like this make me a bit nervous, although Tiny has always appeared like a good steward of their companies. Hopefully this just helps make Letterboxd even better…

🏴‍☠️ A Trump Party in the Reagan Library — The Economist

I, of course, didn’t watch last night. This was more than enough to reaffirm that decision.