Alexander Basek

Done! And now I’ll never know lol.

Trying to work out something something “AlmodoVAR” and failing

Next time he should button his jacket before posturing

Surely a robot sedan or wagon would be more practical

He seemed to be struggling. With drinking and with not drinking of late. Always looking for work too. What a fucking condemnation of this industry that he was ever in need of it. One of his greatest pieces ever – on Haggard – was taken down by a corporation that decided it no longer needed great writing anymore. It can only be read on the internet archive . That’s just how the industry is now I suppose. In an earlier time he would have been the kind of writer being paid $5 a word by magazines to go write about whatever he pleased. And no one would be pissed off or jealous about it either. All of the rest of us scrabbling for that kind of gig just nodding in approval. That makes sense. He has that coming. A couple years ago I offered him the most money I have ever offered anyone to write for Hell World. Not as much as he deserved mind you but a lot for me. Write about literally anything you want I said. He said he would. He promised he would write something for me multiple times over the years but one thing or another always came up. Something big just around the corner was about to happen.

Put together some thoughts here.

In an earlier time he would have been the kind of writer being paid $5 a word by magazines to go write about whatever he pleased. And no one would be pissed off or jealous about it either.
www.welcometohellworld.com/life-is-a-pr...

I encourage all the media outlets who are about to send people to ”war ravaged” Portland to think twice. Some of the strongest extremism reporters in the country live in this region; journalists who understand the culture of the Northwest and the history of activism here. Do it right this time okay?

Colbert and Kimmel And Paddy Chayevsky

This is my substack page. It contains a link to my new Rollingstone piece about the first amendment. But its a two-fer because it ALSO has a video of a piece we did in 1985 on the NBC version of the Letterman show, entitled 'Test the Censors.' merrillmarkoe.substack.com/p/colbert-an...

Sea lion relaxing in the green, calm water, eyes closed.

Unbothered. Moisturizerized. Happy. In my lane. Focused. Flourishing.

[Posting the winning bid] "Ladies and gentlemen, we got it."

“They’re stealing from you” is such an easy, all-encompassing message for Dems. Stealing by corruption, stealing freedoms, stealing your right to vaccinate and educate your kids, and on and on.

If you need a happier newsletter item one day (and I guess we all will need it): who won the Somerville cat election?

cc @bryancurtis.bsky.social for you know who to guess

Just walked right into the propeller. Sad!

Is it on the Mount Rushmore of spherical foods?

“Mr. President, a second case of sports medicine malpractice has hit Kyle Tucker.”

Living Through This, Again | Defector The moment I had long dreaded finally arrived: the day I’d have to dismantle my childhood. I suppose I should consider myself lucky. It took 43 years to get here, to this spring day in 2025, standing ...

My old boss @amyphillips.bsky.social wrote a beautiful piece .

Congratulations Derek, you’re our Kevin Roose of the Week, brought to you by Alpo.

does Veselka have a picture of Alan Dershowitz up behind the register yet

McKinsey saw him exactly for who he is

I am thankful to live in a place where politics are still being practiced using Robert’s Rules of Order tbqh. The alternative is a lot worse!

Syd and Razor standing in front of a giant moon

MANIAC MANSION
LUCASFILM/REALTIME ASSOC 1990
NES

“Should we get a quote from someone who lives or works in Midtown? Nah.”

Rays at Yankees Boyle vs Fried

There are two ways to get your pierogi at Veselka

"Good evening, Sheffield! We are Marsan Syndrome, and this song is called You're Strange, Mr. Norrell."

The Tour de France's New, Hardcore Paris Finale Was One For The Ages | Defector PARIS — Four hours before the final stage of the Tour de France begins, I walk the length of the last, newest climb on the race parcours. This is only possible on the course itself, as thousands of…

The Tour de France’s new, hardcore Paris finale was one for the ages: defector.com/the-tour-de-...

Just because it’s more sensible than the slightly crazier explanation doesn’t make it sensible…

It’s not “sensible” if no other federal agents wear masks. Or local cops who are in theory a lot more exposed in their own communities. Plus the only proof of the doxxing is a single Fox News article. Not credible.

Aspartame solidarity

Now I want him to do umpire impressions every time he gets tossed out. Play the hits, dammit!

I haven’t found a better explanation for anything they do beyond “they’re all crabs in a barrel”