Carlo D'Este, Bitter Victory

At Amazon, Carlo D'Este, Bitter Victory: The Battle for Sicily, 1943.

Eric Helleiner, The Great Wall of Money

At Amazon, Eric Helleiner, The Great Wall of Money: Power and Politics in China's International Monetary Relations.

Collapse of Political Stability in Britain

This is good, at NYT.

Voters are not fools. Government performance matters, and performance has been lacking for May's Tories, especially on the economy.

In Britain, “people are switching loyalties, not tribally, but like consumers" https://t.co/DoGIM6Piti

— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) June 11, 2017

In the Mail: H.G. Adler, Theresienstadt, 1941-1945

*BUMPED.*

My copy came today yesterday Wednesday last week, via Cambridge University Press, and available at Amazon, H.G. Adler, Theresienstadt, 1941-1945: The Face of a Coerced Community.

Evelyn Taft's Warming Weather Forecast

Hey, great weather. Sunny and bright in Irvine today, and not too hot.

I can't complain.

That high pressure is on the way, however, and inland temperatures will get into the double-digits over the next few days (and look out in the high deserts, where it'll be scorching).

Here's the lovely Ms. Evelyn, for CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

Forget James Comey: The Real Story is Russia's War on America

This is interesting, from Molly K. McKew.

At Politico:

Forget Comey. The Real Story Is Russia’s War on America https://t.co/KE4fySDTFH

— POLITICO Magazine (@POLITICOMag) June 13, 2017

Wendy Lesser, Why I Read

At Amazon, Wendy Lesser, Why I Read: The Serious Pleasure of Books.

Rat Infestation at Villa Park Elementary School (VIDEO)

This was my elementary school!

I attended Villa Park Elementary for 4th through 6th grade.

Not good. Not good.

At CBS News 2 Los Angeles, "Rat Infestation Spreads at Orange County Elementary School."

Today's Deals

At Amazon, Gold Box Deals.

See, especially, Father's Day Watches.

And, Amazon Echo - White.

More, Mountain House Just In Case...Classic Assortment Bucket.

Plus, AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable - 6 Feet (1.8 Meters) - White.

Here, Mad Grit: The Best Double Camping Hammock Includes: 2 Free Bonus Hanging Tree Straps and Carabiners - Ultralight Portable Compact Parachute Nylon Perfect for Outdoor Backpacking, Beach, Backyard, Camping.

BONUS: Catherine Merridale, Lenin on the Train.

Stop Pretending You're Not Rich

Here's Richard V. Reeves, at the New York Times:

Opinion: "Imagine my horror at discovering that the United States is more calcified by class than Britain" https://t.co/h25WWCkqUy

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 11, 2017

And his book's out tomorrow, at Amazon, Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do about It.

Rule 5 Monday

Well, here's to get things going, at the Other McCain, "Rule 5 Sunday: Summertime Girls."

Also, at Odie's, "Elevators ~OR~ Rule 5 Woodsterman Style."

And, a Page 3 flashback, "FILM STRIP: Sabine Jemeljanova is more than just a roaring success as a model after starring in spoof horror - The model turned actress enjoyed howls of laughter in Strippers vs. Werewolves - along with a few hairy moments."

(On Twitter as well, "Sexy Sabine Saturday.")

More, at Drunken Stepfather, "SELENA GOMEZ OF THE DAY." Plus, at Taxi Driver, "Selena Gomez Slight Nipple Peek."

BONUS: Amber Rose.

Difference Between 'Social Activists' and 'Social Justice Warriors'

Seen on Twitter:

Truth pic.twitter.com/YMwkZFwPi0

— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) June 11, 2017

W. August Mayer, Islamic Jihad, Cultural Marxism, and the Transformation of the West

*BUMPED.*

My copy came yesterday last week.

I'm so glad I came across this little tome.

At Amazon, W. August Mayer, Islamic Jihad, Cultural Marxism, and the Transformation of the West.

Jennifer Delacruz's Drizzle and Fog Forecast

It's going to be cloudy and wet on the coasts, but warmer inland. And then the high pressure's coming for the middle of the week, with increasing temperatures.

Time to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful weather we've got on tap!

Here's the beautiful Ms. Jennifer with the forecast, for ABS News 10 San Diego:

Democrats See Growing Split Between Party and Base

With Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party basically coming out the winner in Britain's general election, we saw all kinds of quick hot takes about how Democrats should have nominated Bernie Sanders (at least on Twitter).

I also saw someone (I've forgotten who) arguing that the populist/nationalist wave has crested (at 538?). I guess that means hardcore socialists are about to come to power, right?

Actually, no. The fact is Corbyn's still the leader of the shadow cabinet. We'll see if we have another election in Britain this year, as some have argued, but in the U.S. it's well over a year until the congressional midterms. A lot can happen in the meanwhile. And for 2020? Won't Bernie be pushing 80 by then? The Democrats need to deepen the bench. Sheesh.

In any case, at the New York Times, "Democrats in Split-Screen: The Base Wants It All. The Party Wants to Win":

Democrats are facing a struggle between the demands of their liberal base and the limits of their power https://t.co/0amCdyaUDY

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 11, 2017

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Democrats are facing an open breach between the demands of their political base and the strict limits of their power, as liberal activists dream of transforming the health care system and impeaching President Trump, while candidates in hard-fought elections ask wary independent voters merely for a fresh chance at governing.

The growing tension between the party’s ascendant militant wing and Democrats in conservative-leaning terrain, where the party must compete to win power in Congress, was on vivid, split-screen display over the weekend: in Chicago, where Senator Bernie Sanders led a revival-style meeting of his progressive devotees, and in Atlanta, where Democrats are spending colossal sums of money in hopes of seizing a traditionally Republican congressional district.

It may be essential for Democrats to reconcile the party’s two clashing impulses if they are to retake the House of Representatives in 2018. In a promising political environment, a drawn-out struggle over Democratic strategy and ideology could spill into primary elections and disrupt the party’s path to a majority.

On the one hand, progressives are more emboldened than they have been in decades, galvanized by Mr. Sanders’s unexpected successes in 2016 and empowered by the surge of grass-roots energy dedicated to confronting an unpopular president and pushing the party leftward.

Mr. Sanders rallied his youthful, often-raucous coalition Saturday night at a gathering named the “People’s Summit,” where supporters hailed him in worshipful language. One Colorado couple hauled a small banner through the hangar-size McCormick Place, pleading with Mr. Sanders, a still-independent Vermont senator, to create a new “People’s Party.”

Mr. Sanders and many attendees enthused over the surprise showing of the British Labour Party, under the left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn, in last week’s election. Democrats can electrify voters, they warned, only by embracing the Sanders agenda of universal health care, free college tuition and full employment.

Speaking for just under an hour, Mr. Sanders — who was met with chants of “Bernie, Bernie” and pleas of “2020!” — crowed that while he may have lost the 2016 primary, “we have won the battle of ideas and we are continuing to win that battle.”

He assailed President Trump in blistering terms, but earned some of his loudest cheers for attacking the party whose nomination he sought last year. “The current model and the current strategy of the Democratic Party is an absolute failure,” Mr. Sanders said to booming applause, arguing that Democrats need “fundamental change.”

“The Democratic Party must finally understand which side it is on,” he said.

Yet the party’s elected leaders, and many of its candidates, are far more dispassionate, sharing a cold-eyed recognition of the need to scrounge for votes in forbidding precincts...

Pfft.

It's all baloney.

It's going to take a massive wave election in 2018 to topple the Republican majority in Congress, especially in the House.

And it's about 18 months until the 2018 midterms. Dems should curb their enthusiasm a little, heh.

Still more.

Kylie Jenner Wears Camouflage Bikini to Launch New Collection

At London's Daily Mail, "Kylie Jenner reports for bikini duty! Reality star poses camo swimsuit to model new army inspired collection."

Controversy followed, "Fashion brand accuses Kylie Jenner of COPYING its camo clothes with near-identical designs - and shares emails from the star's team who placed an order just a month ago."

Also at NME:

Kylie Jenner accused of cultural appropriation and copying Destiny’s Child with camouflage bikinihttps://t.co/n41lguGuXq pic.twitter.com/2gCHedyaol

— NME (@NME) June 9, 2017

ICYMI: Ralph K. Andrist, The Long Death

At Amazon, Ralph K. Andrist, The Long Death: The Last Days of the Plains Indians.

Elliott West, The Last Indian War

At Amazon, Elliott West, The Last Indian War: The Nez Perce Story.

David L. Kirp, Improbable Scholars

At Amazon, David L. Kirp, Improbable Scholars: The Rebirth of a Great American School System and a Strategy for America's Schools.

Jennifer Delacruz Sunshine Sunday Forecast

This video went live after I hit the hay last night.

It's warming up, getting sunny and warm, as we move into this week, and into summer.

Here's the lovely Ms. Jennifer, for ABC News 10 San Diego: