Reading Jason Stanley’s “How Fascism Works.” Well worth the time. Actually, it’s a quick read. Stanley writes with clarity and simplicity of expression, staying away from the obtuse and unfamiliar that is the stock and trade with too many academics. Back in the day when socialism was a new interest for me, I always appreciated the writing of Paul Sweezy and Harry Magdoff for precisely the same reason.

Springsteen covers Commodores’ Night Shift. The song was written in 1985 by lead singer Walter Orange in collaboration with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde, as a tribute to soul/R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye, both of whom died in 1984. A full album, honoring and covering R&B singers of that era, will be released by Springsteen in early November.

I hope to hear some of those songs and more at one of the tour stops of Springsteen and the E-Street next year. I’m still fishing around for a ticket. A tad expensive, but at my age and as a rock and roll lifer, I’m more than willing to pay the price.

Listened to this interesting exchange between President Obama and his former aides, while driving yesterday. Obama is many things, including brillient and sober minded about politics and what it will take to win.