Librarians and archivists and teachers are the Fort Knox of memory, history, and truth. We must defend them with everything we’ve got. - Rachel Maddow

Climate disaster has put a spotlight on the need for human society to evolve beyond dependence on petroleum, but our very capacity to decide on that — or anything — remains at risk as long as the industry is still ranging like a ravenous predator on the field of democracy.

NIXON: Accuse you of what? AGNEW: Accuse me of — NIXON: Putting the pressure on them to make contributions? AGNEW: No, he may say he gave me a kickback of some kind. Came over here and handed me $50,000. Totally ridiculous. But — NIXON: Oh, God. AGNEW: I mean, they say it. I don’t know what this guy’s liable to say. NIXON: And Ted, they’re — AGNEW: They say he gave a federal judge some money. There are all kinds of rumors. NIXON: Good God, isn’t it awful? AGNEW: But this man is — NIXON: Well, can we destroy him?

Coming up: The part of my interview with the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, where she smacks me down like a ball-peen hammer meeting a thumb. Ow. Ow. Ow.