Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

Of all the things that President Donald Trump said on Monday night when he rescinded his White House invite to the Super Bowl champ Philadelphia Eagles, only one thing was remotely close to the truth.

Half of the rest of it was a bald-faced lie, and everything after it was Trump's crass brand of Banana Republicanism at its absolute worst.

First the part that's true, Trump, who's proven himself a big fan of the 5th Amendment, but not so much when it comes to the First, has the absolute right to invite whomever he wants to his taxpayer-funded lodgings at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

But Trump's reason for dropping the invite was a bald-faced lie.

In a statement, Trump said he'd rolled up the welcome mat for the Super Bowl champs because "they disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country."

The Pennsylvania Capitol had some special visitors today. Great to meet @Eagles President Don Smolenski – thanks for bringing the Lombardi Trophy along to celebrate the @SuperBowl champions. #PAproud #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/o6fLkXaMTT — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) June 4, 2018

No. That's not the reason.

Not even close.

The players, as has been noted many times, take a knee during the anthem because they're protesting the treatment of the country's black Americans at the hands of law enforcement, and because of broader racial justice issues in general.

Y'know, like the ones that resulted in cops being called to both a Philly Starbucks and a York County golf course for no reason other than the color of someone's skin.

It's not about the military. It's not the flag. No matter how much you'd like to pretend otherwise.

And, also, those players have a constitutionally protected right to protest, Mr. President. Soldiers, both black and white, have fought and died to protect that right.

But maybe you'd forgotten that in your haste to make this all about yourself. To distract public away from your legion of other problems. And to cynically capitalize on an easy culture war issue.

Still, if Trump needs a basic lesson on why the players are protesting, players Malcom Jenkins and Anquan Bodin are more than happy to explain it to him:

Why are NFL players protesting during the national anthem? Malcolm Jenkins and Anquan Boldin explain the issues: https://t.co/GDY8dR9wh6 pic.twitter.com/Su4DDLF1yz — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 25, 2017

Now about that Banana Republicanism.

In his statement, Trump said he planned to hold an alternate celebration for the 1,000 or so Eagles fans who'd schlepped to D.C. for their team's White House moment.

Those fans, Trump said, were "still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony - one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem."

He followed it up with this absolute gem of a totalitarian Tweet this morning.

We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

I've got news for you, Mr. President, that's what they do in Vladimir Putin's Russia; stand and pretend to be patriotic. That's what they do in Rodrigo Duterte's Philippines. That's what they do in Kim Jong Un's North Korea.

We're Americans. We stand if we want to. We sit if we want to. And if you're from Philly, you cuss out opposing fans and don't even worry about the consequences.

But the one thing we don't do is participate in enforced displays of patriotism.

No way. No how. Not this life. Not any other.

So, Pennsylvania, this one's on you.

You handed the White House to Trump in 2016 by 44,000 votes, breaking a three-decade streak of Democrats carrying the state. You can do that again or you can send a message in November.

Why?

The guy that most of you put in the White House has just stepped all over a moment that a bunch of you have waited several lifetimes to see.

What are you gonna do about it?

The POTUS just dissed your team. Whose side are you on? Now's the time to decide.

The rest of the day's news starts now.

The Inquirer takes you inside the bitter fight for control of a ward in Northeast Philly and explains how it's a proxy fight between two powerful Dems.

The Post-Gazette explains why U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., thinks a hearing for federal appellate court nominee David Porter is a break with protocol.

The Tribune-Review explains why the big fountain in Pittsburgh's Point Park isn't running.

BillyPenn takes you on a tour of Girard College.

In case you missed it, here's our column on yesterday's round of budget rallies at the state Capitol.

The Incline would like to answer whatever questions you have about Pittsburgh.

Could a website in New Jersey help integrate America's schools? WHYY-FM looks for the answer.

Here's your #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day:

Attorney General Josh Shapiro is fighting a Trump administration rule cutting birth control out of health insurance plans, WITF-FM reports.

Allentown's first medical marijuana dispensary will hold an open house today, The Morning Call reports.

State Rep. Pam Snyder talks to PennLiveabout her plans to cut food waste and fight hunger.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale talks Spartan races and maybe running for governor with PhillyMag.

The Call also has the deets on Scott Wagner's farewell address to the Senate.

Will a new foster care law give grandparents a hand? Stateline.org takes up that issue.

A new PPP poll finds U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly is running into some re-election trouble, PoliticsPA reports.

And a Monmouth University poll has U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick in a statistical dead heat with Democratic challenger Scott Wallace.

The POTUS has abandoned his loyalty test in the midterms, Politico reports.

Steve Bannon will be right about the mid-terms - until he isn't, Roll Call's Stu Rothenberg opines.

What Goes On.

The House comes in at 10 am., the Senate at 1 p.m.

10 a.m., East Rotunda: Pa. Chemical Industry Council on ... erm ... chemicals?

10 a.m., Main Rotunda: All-purpose activist Eric Epstein talks "tax relief for working Pennsylvanians."

11 a.m., Ryan Building: Keystone Games Hall of Fame induction

11:30 a.m., Main Rotunda: Common Cause on redistricting

12:30 p.m., East Rotunda: Sen. Greenleaf on Safe Harbor legislation

1 p.m., Main Rotunda: Home Matters day - Sens. Killion & Blake promoting tax credits to help provide housing to low-income families

WolfWatch.

Gov. Tom Wolf has no public schedule today.

What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition).

8 a.m.: Breakfast for Rep. Mike Reese

8 a.m.: Breakfast for Rep. Mindy Fee

8 a.m.: Breakfast for Rep. Eric Roe

11:30 a.m.: Luncehon for Sen. Mario Scavello

5:30 p.m.: Reception for Rep. Frank Dermody

6 p.m.: Reception for Rep. Bryan Cutler

Ride the circuit, and give at the max, and you'll part with a mere $12,000 today.

Heavy Rotation.

Here's a bit of

Florence and the Machine

to get your Tuesday morning rolling.

Tuesday's Gratuitous Hockey Link.

The Washington Capitals are ... gasp ... a game away from hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup. They beat Vegas 6-2 on Monday night.

And now you're up to date.