Wouldn’t it be fun to live in a world where the government was so safe, sane, and sage that there wouldn’t be any news about it? Well, we’re not there yet. Here are some of the stories we’re following on the web in an age of 45:

First, a story we love. The State of West Virginia has just voted to impeach its entire supreme court for a variety of alleged crimes, mostly having to do with corruption. We like it. Might be a sign of things to come on a Federal level with a Trumpian court.

Now, a less happy story. The New York Times is reporting that a series of cables, newly released, show that waterboarding was a regular practice at the secret prison in Thailand run by Gina Haspel, who is now the head of the CIA under Trump. If that doesn’t frighten you, it damn well should.

And here’s something else that should terrify you. The pesticide chlorpyrifos has been proven to cause brain damage to children. Trump’s former EPA chief, Scott Pruitt, refused to take it off the market. Fortunately, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has just ruled that the EPA has to ban the poison, no matter what the EPA or Trump think about it.

While we’re on the topic of terror, here’s something sort of awful. According to the Daily Beast, some 43% of all Republicans in a recent poll think that Donald Trump should be able to shut down any media outlet he likes. Interesting how the GOPers are so patriotic, but don’t mind shutting done the Constitution.

From the no honor among thieves department, former Trump aide Omarosa Manigault-Newman says that she taped her conversations with the Orange One. Should provide hours of listening pleasure in the White House. And we’re sure Robert Mueller will soon own a complete set.

And last, but surely not least, the National Russia Association …er, Rifle Association…recently said it was on the verge of bankruptcy and needed all its friends to donate. But, now, investigative journalist Frances Langum is reporting that the NRA is dropping millions on TV ads to get Brett Kavanaugh onto the Supreme Court. Gee. If, they’re so broke, where do you suppose they got the money…?

Shall we all sing a chorus of “From Russia With Love?”

Asking for a friend.