Another Thursday, another Matador Playlist. Even after a hiatus of four-plus years, Gentle Reader(s), it already feels so familiar. To be honest, not much has really changed. Ye Olde Matador Bar & Lounge is much as it ever was (dark, crowded, stuffy) and Katya is taking names and kicking butt behind the bar, just as in the Days of Yore. The door crew—Ian and Big Don—are new faces, but they seem like fine young men and are possessed of the sturdy gravitas that befits the position.

Well, what can I tell you, Gentle Reader(s)? I guess it was bound to happen, sooner or later. Deny it though I tried, the swan song of sweat, beer and rock and roll emanating from beneath Galisteo Street has lured me back. For better or worse, DJ Inky lives once again.

They called it right on the money on Friday night. The panel of journalists appearing on the 7/19/24 edition of Washington Week on PBS laid it out thusly: The tide had turned decisively against Joe Biden and time was running out. If he didn’t make up his mind to step aside over the weekend a full-on insurrection would break out in the Democratic Party come Monday. Monday, as in… the day after tomorrow. Thankfully, Uncle Joe got the message. After weeks (Months? Years??) of fighting against the growing perception that he was too old and too infirm to be a viable candidate for a second term, he did the right thing—the necessary thing—and fell on his sword. I can hardly imagine how difficult and painful a decision this must have been and I believe that, late in the game though it is, President Joe Biden deserves a huge amount of credit for his brave decision. Credit, thanks and sympathy.