Lobenthal.com

Desperately cash-strapped as they are, it is time that America’s cultural institutions stop acting as fig leaves for the Kochs.

The Kochs contribute what is, for them, chump change and in return get priceless windfalls in image clean-up.

The Kochs are, of course, adamantly opposed to gun control laws, as they are opposed to all public policy that enhances and supports life.

If the cultural and performing arts institutions can’t find at least slightly cleaner sources of money than filthy Koch swag, they might try to practice better and more effective governance and fund raising.

And of course, the Kochs are doing great harm specifically to these institutions by pushing through things like the tax cut heist, which seriously discourages charitable contributions.

And what are the Kochs doing to repel Trump’s intention to abolish the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, PBS & NPR??

The revised East Midtown zoning rules are ushering in a new generation of monstrously tall Manhattan buildings.

The Times reports on J.P. Morgan’s announcement that it will demolish its 52-story headquarters to build a new 70-story headquarters.

Both Mayor De Blasio and Deputy Mayor Glen are conning the public by acting like this is a win for the city.

78 degrees Fahrenheit in New York City on February 21.

And the Democrats still don’t seem to understand that the state of the environment is a winning political issue.

But do except lots of crowing from TV weather people about how jubilant we should be over the historic balmy weather!

Ari Velshi demonstrates how Hannity and Ingraham operated in league with Russian trolls to spread lies about Hillary Clinton.

CORRECTION: Ingraham not mentioned in this clip but she’s as guilty as Hannity, who is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFybKHciIVY

Fox “News” lead Aryan Laura Ingraham doesn’t believe in democracy or the First Amendment, and she particularly doesn’t believe in it for African-Americans.

Crooks and Liars surveys her long history of race baiting.

One of the most magnetic ’60s pairings.

Don’t miss The Go-Between at the Quad t’row.

And read Dan Callahan in The Village Voice on Bates.

This handmaiden to the NRA should not be allowed to run for the Senate, should not be allowed to ever serve in any political, ostensibly “public interest” capacity ever again.

No GOP NRA whore has been more good at it than Scott.

Joan McCarter at Daily Kos reminds us that

“Every time Trump goes off on Twitter about Russia—the total ‘hoax’ that nonetheless happened and is all President Obama’s fault—he’s reminding us that Obama did in fact try to do something and that McConnell blocked him from doing that something—making a public statement that would be a ‘show of solidarity and bipartisan unity’ in publicly condemning Russia for interference.”

The Quad Cinema is hosting an Alan Bates festival this month, including a week’s showing of a restored King of Hearts.

was that the mentally ill and the under age should be able to purchase automatic weapons.