10/11/23
Good morning! It’s Wednesday, October 11th.
National Coming Out Day.
Listen - everyone’s journey is their own, but people who live their best, most authentic, lives deserve to be celebrated. Whether you came out decades ago, you’re thinking about doing it today, or you’re not quite ready to take that step - it all matters.
And now, the news.
Update on Israel
-via CNN
We of course start with an update on Israel, where it has now been confirmed that Americans are among those being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The exact number is unknown, but the number of Americans dead is now at least 14.
Overall, Israel’s military says their death toll is over 1,400, with more than 2,700 injured. We of course start with an update on Israel, where it has now been confirmed that Americans are among those being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The exact number is unknown, but the number of Americans dead is now at least 14.
Overall, Israel’s military says their death toll is over 1,400, with more than 2,700 injured. The death toll in Gaza has risen to 900, a number that includes 260 children and 230 women.
Every day we learn a little more about the horror in Hamas, as videos show things like Hamas attackers throwing grenades into bomb shelters, or an Israeli Defense Forces member telling CNN about the children they found killed.
While Hamas continues to fire upon Israel, usually after telling them what specific time they’ll fire, Israel’s defense minister has “released all restraints” on troops, with warplanes attacking multiple neighborhoods, as well as continuing to stop the entry of food, medicine, and fuel into Gaza.
I don’t remember who said this but, earlier this week, someone on MSNBC said this was going to get terrible, before it got really terrible.
And as terrible as this is right now, I’m not entirely sure we’ve even gotten to that first terrible yet unfortunately.
Afghanistan Earthquake
-via AP News
Afghanistan has experienced a handful of earthquakes over the last few days. On Saturday, as well as Wednesday morning (their Wednesday, not your Wednesday) they’ve experienced two 6.3 quakes.
The death toll from Wednesday’s quake, is currently unknown, but the death toll from Saturday’s quakes and aftershocks has passed 2,000. Heartbreakingly, the death toll from Wednesday is believed to be lower, because the earlier quakes had left little more than rubble left in the villages.
George Santos Facing New Charges
-via NBC News
George Santos! Those first two stories were tough, let’s have a laugh… House Rep George Santos is facing 23 news charges, including identity theft as well as the allegation that he charged a supporter’s credit card more than they wanted to donate and then transferred the money to his personal account.
Two crimes that, again, any new thing I learn about him I’m like… this feels like something that would be so obvious to anyone just doing a little bit of investigating. I’m not saying do crimes, but if you’re gonna do crimes… do smarter ones.
But hey! Heyyyy… don’t do crimes.
When asked for a comment on Tuesday, Santos was unable to respond because he didn’t have his phone with him. Literally, “I have not had access to my phone.”
Of all the lies he’s told, a 35 year old claiming to be walking around without their phone? Feels like the most obvious lie of all.
In case you’re wonder, no we don’t have a Speaker of the House yet. No idea who it’ll be. Honestly, the only possibilities feel like they’re so far away from 218 votes that George Santos could be just as likely as anyone else. What an embarassing mess.
Two New Senators Launch Campaigns
And speaking of embarrassing messes… two new folks have joined the Senate races in two separate states.
First, in Arizona – Kari Lake, who lose her race for governor last year but never conceded that she is, factually speaking, a loser, has thrown her hat into the Senate race in Arizona. She held her rally inside the airplane hangar of a luxury and private jet magazine, and promised to “stand on top of this hill with every single one of you.”
A true fighter for the working class… from a luxury and private jet magazine’s airplane hangar.
Who set this event up? Because they clearly don’t like her. And you know what? I think that’s cool.
She is running for Krysten Sinema’s seat. Remember that Kiki Sims recently decided not to be a Democrat anymore (to which all Democrats were like, “wait – you were a democrat?”). She hasn’t announced whether she’ll run for re-election but, if she does, it’ll be as an independent. House Rep. Rubin Gallego has already announced he’s running for the Democratic spot.
And here in California, Steve Garvey, who was first a Los Angeles Dodger, then a San Diego Padre, and has never held any elected office, is running for Senate as a Republican.
Dude has a better chance of getting into the Hall of Fame than the US Senate (which is a sick burn, because he was on the Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years, and the best he ever got was 42.6%).
And that’s it. That’s the news.
I’m proud of… people living authentically.
It’s also Emergency Nurses Day. And duh because I was raised by one, I’m proud of them (she does NOT like Steve Garvey… I feel like I have to mention that or else I’ll be in trouble). But also, as we’re talking about the horrific atrocities happening in places like Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and many other places, there are first responders and emergency nurses and doctors that are working like many of us could never have the strength to do. They’re not getting the attention, praise, or money, that they should, and although that’s a tale as old as time, the literal bare minimum we can do, in moments like these is remind everyone about their work and sacrifice. And if you know someone doing that work – doing the work in a war zone, in a place demolished by two 6.3 earthquakes in a week, in a county that has more mass shootings than days in a week, or honestly just anywhere… support them however, and whenever, you can.
Also Tops! It’s international top spinning day and honestly, I just didn’t expect to get that serious about emergency nurses so hey… more than those fun little top toys, because you are also whimsicle… I’m proud of you.