01/12/23

Good morning! It’s Thursday, January 12th.

National Hot Tea Day.

A cuppa!

Full disclosure, I don’t know if a cuppa is just a nice cup of hot tea, which is how I’ve been using it, or a specific way it’s made. I also don’t want to look it up. It’s just a charming little word and I love it.

And now, the news.

Flights Grounded Over Computer Error

-via AP News

Hear this?

(airplane noise)

That’s the sound of an airplane taking off. I didn’t really know how to start this story, so that’s what I went with. Because early yesterday morning, more than 9000 flights were delayed after the FAA ordered a stop to ALL departures around the country.

Which is never a great sign.

This happened because a system that sends real-time safety alerts to pilots had to be restarted.

Flights resumed around 9a east coast time and while there is no evidence of a cyberattack, the FAA has yet to release a detailed reasoning behind the failure.

But I bet somewhere there’s a Southwest crew member sitting in a rolling chair, twirling around and around saying, “well well well”

I’m not saying Southwest is to blame! I’m not even saying they enjoyed this. I’m just saying… probably nice to be the only ones causing a delay for once, right?

Long Island Republicans Call for Santos to Resign

-via CBS News

George George Georgie George George… yesterday Republicans from George Santos’ Nassau County called for the immediate resignation of the freshman congressmember who has told so many lies, and is under so many criminal investigations, that even the liars from Pretty Little Liars are like… “whoa. That’s too many lies. And also too many spinoffs. You’re doing too much George.” (Direct quote)

In their press conference, the Nassau County Republican Committee Chair said, "He's not welcome here at Republican headquarters, for meetings or at any of our events. As I said, he's disgraced the House of Representatives, and we do not consider him one of our congresspeople."

Strong words. And what does Santos have to say to calls for his resignation? “I will not.”

Less strong.

I do feel for this group. I mean, in the House, George Santos is exactly the consequences of McCarthy and the rest of the Republican’s actions. But when you’re looking at local politics, it’s gotta be so frustrating that THIS is your rep.

George should step down. I mean, he won’t. But… would be cool.

More Classified Documents Found

-via NBC News

More classified documents have been found in relation to President Biden’s days as Veep. The location is these documents has not yet been released, but they were discovered as Biden’s aides combed through old offices and boxes, something they’ve been doing since the discovery of the original classified documents in November.

This remains not great and also, in no way even close to what Trump did. And how do we know they’re not the same? Well, we can start with… Biden’s aides handed over the documents in the first place. Without a search warrant.

Authorities in China Rounding Up Protestors

-via NPR

Authorities in China have begun arresting people who participated in last November’s series of protests against the country’s hard Covid-19 lockdowns. So far, NPR has been able to confirm eight folks who were arrested in what’s being called the A4 protests, because most attendees held up blank pieces of printer paper to represent the lack of agency they have in the country.

Arrests began quietly on December 18th.

Paris Train Station Stabbings

-via NPR

A man wounded six people on a train station in Paris Wednesday morning, before being shot by police.

The attack appears to have been unprovoked as he attacked those around him, including police, with a bladed weapon that was not a knife but possibly a homemade weapon.

The man, who is currently in critical condition as of this recording, has not been linked to any extremist groups and no motive has been suggested.

House Passes Anti-Abortion Bill

-via CNN

Hey, here’s a story that I’m really mad about…

On Wednesday, the House passed a bill would require health care providers to try and preserve the life of an infant in the rare case that a baby is born alive during or after an attempted abortion.

Can. You. Even.

It is not expected to come up for a vote in the Senate, so this one won’t pass. But still… it’s disgusting.

And it’s particularly disgusting because, since they KNOW this isn’t going to a vote in the Senate, it was done just for messaging purposes. So they can go out there and talk about how pro-life they are.

Which is not what they are. They are NOT pro-life, they are anti-womb. Anti-healthcare. Anti-life.

It’s already against the law to kill a baby that’s born alive. Everyone knows that. It’s called murder. So this isn’t anything except wanting to assert power now that you have the teeny tiny littlest bit of it.

They also passed a measure on Wednesday to condemn attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. What a cool, chill, balanced week one in the new House.

Hey, are you registered to vote and take back the House next year? Please?

California Weather

-via LA Times

We’ve got a break in the rain here in Los Angeles, but not in the consequences of the terrible weather we’ve seen since the beginning of the year.

Described by the California Office of Emergency Services as a “weather whiplash,” the California storms have resulted in at least 18 deaths, including a toddler. As of this recording, a five year old is still missing after he was swept away by floodwaters.

On top of all that, more rain is expected through the weekend.

I… don’t really have a way to transition out of this one.

And that’s it. That’s the news.

I’m proud of… cuppas. Just a nice warm cuppa. A comforting cup of cuppa.

I really don’t think it’s anything more specific than just whatever tea you’re having.

But anyway, more than that… more than the word cuppa, because you are also just so charming… I’m proud of you.