ON THE WEEKEND CALENDAR

In New York City, the king of pop comes alive in Spike Lee’s Brooklyn, which is hosting a “BK Loves MJ” DJ party for Michael Jackson’s birthday in Lee’s Fort Greene neighborhood. The beats start at noon Saturday and don’t stop until dusk.

Get into a downward dog tomorrow if you’re in Washington, D.C. FitDC YogaFest will take over Reservoir Park all morning, featuring yoga styles from India, Sri Lanka, the Himalayas, and more. Pick a zone and take a deep breath.

If you missed Washington’s panda-themed food festival, you can still catch it in the Midwest. Chicago is hosting its very first Panda Fest, complete with 300 Asian food vendors, tastings, treats, and, of course, 15-foot inflatable pandas. Don’t miss out.

For something a little more vicious: Boston is hosting its first (legal) bare-knuckle fighting contest. Local heavy-hitters will put up their fists at “BKFC 92” Saturday night — bring good reflexes and a high tolerance for gore.

In Los Angeles tonight, musician, artist, and moment-maker David Byrne is the star of the Hollywood Bowl with “Who is the Sky?” — a performance The Guardian calls a continuation of the legend’s “career-long obsession with blurring the line between live show and theatrical art piece.”

Pokémonheads: This weekend is your time to shine. The Pokémon World Championships are taking place in the Bay Area, bringing together the foremost minds in Pokémon skill, strategy, and fandom. Catch ’em all!

In the Carolinas: Rock outfit Goo Goo Dolls are stopping in Charleston for their tour, and for those looking for something a little more mellow, Asheville is hosting “Shindig on the Green,” a night of traditional Southern Appalachian dance and music.

And finally, do some good in Miami: ZeyZey is hosting “Colombia Needs Us,” a fundraiser with asado, DJ sets, live music, and salsa workshops. All proceeds go toward aid and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by recent earthquakes in Colombia.

Now, let’s check some mail.

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

[Re: Demolition of the East Wing of the White House]

I suggest we leave the rubble as is and put up a plaque as an anti-memorial giving full credit to Trump for destroying the White House. We all know how he loves to put his name on everything, and he knows he will never be honored by any future administrations because he has not done anything to deserve an honorific in any form. No plaques, no statues, no Mount Rushmore bust (although he certainly is one!).

— Harry H., Centerville, Ohio

I am curious to know how many ICE agents have parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were immigrants. All four of my grandparents were immigrants, and they proudly flew the American flag. All of my uncles served in the military and went to war. They would be ashamed to see how ICE treats immigrants today.

— Anonymous

So the Supreme Court rules that Trump can go forward with his fever dream of using the USPS to invalidate certain (Democrat) mail-in ballots, because no harm has been done to the states yet. Isn’t that a bit like saying the police can’t stop a man that has an AR-15 and is running toward a school because no harm has happened yet? Their logic escapes common sense. What would be the harm in keeping the pause in place? For that matter, what would be the harm of pausing any changes to the states’ voting laws this close to an election? 

— Keith M., Stamford, Conn.

Ballots are not counted until they have been verified by the registrar’s office and workers. The name on the ballot has to be checked and verified from voter records on file before it can be counted; you cannot take a ballot from anyone and count it as a vote without first verifying. Undocumented people cannot vote in any federal elections. Even if they have registered to vote, it will not count when they vote until it has been verified that they are American citizens. I have worked the polls for years, so I know the process. 

— Sandy B., Roanoke, Va.

Joe has been talking a lot about the ridiculously rising national debt, and how it’s hard for individual Americans to fathom a number this huge. I remember as a child a National Debt Clock when we drove through the Midtown Tunnel. Constantly changing, it would show how much that national debt represented to every American. Isn’t it time to bring that clock back?

— Betsy S., Mattituck, N.Y.

I would love to hear more about Social Security going bankrupt. I worked since I was 14 years old; I’m now 63 and the projection of insolvency targets right as I am about to qualify — there is no way to adapt to that level of loss in a few years in today’s economic environment (and I’m considered middle class!). 

— Kelly W., Casper, Wyo.

The answer to why Trump does what he does is simple. He is basically not very smart. Doesn’t comprehend complex issues. In other words, not fit for the office. He is a genius at reading public sentiment and gathering supporters. A key asset for a cult leader. Unchecked lies, fraud, and other nefarious activities. Action? The media must keep hitting on this topic. 

— Ron H., Bend, Ore.

The post The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe: Weekend edition appeared first on MS NOW.

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