• Fear is an apt title for Bob Woodward’s new book about the Trump White House, where staffers steal the president’s paperwork to keep him from starting a world war and POTUS derides his own attorney general as “retarded.” But the real fright this week is the Senate confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s latest pick to stack the Supreme Court with justices opposed to abortion rights. Is anyone else afraid?

• After enjoying the first two seasons of the Netflix series The Crown, we came to a stunning realization: What the United States craves these days is proper royalty. In The Crown, Claire Foy as a young Queen Elizabeth II learns the difference between her job as head of state and the prime minister’s job as head of government. The American remake of the show would have to be called The Clown — for the man who holds both offices.

 • To prove that wonderful gifts come in all sizes and for all life, a man this week told an EW employee about adopting elderly dogs and giving them the home life they deserve. It’s something he has done for years. He showed off his elderly, and shiny, blue heeler, adopted at 1st Avenue Shelter in Eugene more than a year ago. Sadly, a tumor in the dog’s underside burst over the Labor Day weekend, and the dog will have to be put down. The man said he will be sad, but he will adopt another elderly dog and give it the gift of a dignified life. Please consider adopting elderly dogs and cats — the frosted faces in our shelters need a soft landing. 

• Thought experiment as Twitter and Facebook representatives went before Congress on Sept. 5: What is the effect of Twitter on Donald Trump’s presidency? What would happen if, say, a wealthy group of investors bought controlling shares in Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) and then took away Trump’s ability to Tweet? Is social media so powerful that, without it, Trump’s seemingly Teflon-like ability to deflect scandal would disappear too? Duly noted: EW is pro-First Amendment and the right to free speech.

• Take some action on climate change this weekend. Saturday, Sept. 8 is a global day of action on climate change and 350 Eugene invites you to join in solidarity with people from 83 countries. 350 Eugene is coming together with “a dozen ally organizations, and the climate-concerned community at large” to “Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice.” There will be a a rally, teach-ins, pledge of resistance, activities for kids, short march and a public demonstration from 1 to 3 pm at the  Campbell Community Center, 155 High Street. world.350.org/eugene.

• This week in EW’s online news coverage: A mural by Blek Le Rat accidentally painted over, Sen. Ron Wyden’s favorite Subway sandwich and EW’s football coverage of the “Bowling Green Massacre.” 

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