Hi everyone,

Welcome back, and congratulations on making it through another week!  Let's focus on what an accomplishment that is, and not that the weather forecast calls for snow tomorrow.  It shouldn't last all that long, so at least there's that. My only hope is that it doesn't wreck the tulips, but in any case, it's a good thing I already put down the compost.  Anyway, the sun is shining, and the guys say the coffee is ready.  Grab yourself a nice medium DD, and let's clear out some Friday Clutter.

Donald Trump won't have to pardon disgraced former national security adviser Michael Flynn, because the Department of Justice is moving to drop the case against Flynn.  Flynn previously pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his discussions with a Russian advisor about the presidential transition in 2016.  Apparently lying to the FBI is no longer a problem.  The fix is in folks:  If you are one of Trump's buddies, our country's laws don't apply to you.  Will Robert Mueller have anything to publicly say about this, or will he continue to hide in the shadows? 

Attorney General William Barr is putting the corruption of this administration out in public for all to see, because he's not worried about any repercussions.  He doesn't care how it looks.  It makes Trump happy, and that's all that matters.  This is a warning of what is to come if we allow Trump a second term. 

Attorney General Barr launches another attack against the rule of law.  (pic via commondreams.org)

One of Donald Trump's personal valets has been infected with the coronavirus.  Trump and Mike Pence apparently tested negative after this information was discovered.  What do you think Trump's reaction was to hearing the news?  Did he a) express any sympathy for the sick individual, or b ) have a complete meltdown and rant about how people aren't doing enough to protect him?  The answer is in the linked story, but you already know what happened.

The two men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia in February have finally been arrested.  Gregory McMichael (a former police officer) and his son Travis went after Arbery, who was jogging in their neighborhood, because he was black.  The two men claimed some nonsense about thinking he was a burglary suspect, although there had been no reported burglaries in the area.  The disturbing leaked video shows they started the confrontation, and shot Arbery because he was fighting for his life.  Police say a third man was involved (perhaps the one who shot the video.)  He should also be in jail.  "Stand Your Ground" laws are nothing but a legal excuse for white guys to kill minorities, and they should be removed from the books.

The New England Patriots released their 2020 schedule yesterday.  This presents a terrific challenge for Bill Belichick and new quarterback Jarrett Stidham as they begin the post-Brady era.  The Patriots have five prime-time games, and their opponents include the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.  The AFC East also looks more challenging than usual, as the Buffalo Bills smell a chance to finally topple New England, and you also can't sleep on the Miami Dolphins,.  There's just one small issue:  We still don't think it's likely the NFL will start on time this year, if at all. 

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez have apparently dropped their attempt to buy the New York Mets.  That's probably for the best. 

Saturday Night Live is airing a third at-home episode tomorrow night.  It will also be SNL's season finale, which is a little disappointing.  We've enjoyed the first two coronavirus-era episodes and wouldn't have minded a couple more to help get through the few weeks.   What the shows lacked spontaneity from being taped, they more than made up for in capturing the current mood through what are basically home movies.  It's been a fun experience.  Oh well, we'll find something else on Netflix to watch.

Speaking of SNL, the first trailer is out for Pete Davidson's new movie, The King of Staten Island, and it looks actually looks promising.  You're telling us we'll have to watch a Pete Davidson film?  Did not see that coming.  Check it out:

This news will make a lot of people we know happy:  The cast of Community is reuniting on May 18 for a virtual table read that will be a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen and Frontline Foods.  It looks like everyone besides Chevy Chase will be participating.  Now, if we could just get the show back for a special on-air episode, and then follow that with a full-time return, that would be terrific.

Andy Serkis is reading The Hobbit online today in another fundraising effort.  That's right, Gollum himself.  This event supports the U.K. charities Best Beginnings and NHS Charities Together.  He started at 5:00 this morning EST, but he expects the effort to take 12 hours, so you still have time to watch him in action.

Rapper/movie mogul Ice Cube is selling a new t-shirt to support "underfinanced hospitals and nurses in inner cities and rural areas throughout America."  The shirt looks pretty badass. 

This might be our favorite of today's celebrity fundraisers:  How I Met Your Mother alum Cobie Smulders updated her Robin Sparkles hit, "Let's Go to the Mall" for 2020, and you will have, "Let's All Stay Home" stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  Smulders asked her fans to support Save the Children, Canada Helps, and Daily Bread Food Bank.

We send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Queen guitarist Brian May, who apparently injured his backside thanks to some "overenthusiastic gardening."  Fortunately, that's never happened to us, but we are well aware of the dangers of overdoing it when you're working with the plants.  It's just so much damn fun to play in the dirt, it's hard to stop.  In any case, we hope May feels better soon.

Okay kids, that's going to do it for now.  Here's Ice Cube to close out with the week with, "It Was a Good Day," for today's, "Song of the Day."

Thanks for stopping by, everyone.  Hanging out with you is always a highlight of the day for us.  Be good, stay safe, and we'll catch up with you again soon.  Until next time, that's today's Clearing out the Clutter, and we are outta here.