11/28/23
Good morning! It’s Tuesday, November 28th.
Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is the day to take the pennies you have left over after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday and donate them to the nonprofit of your choice. Got em right after all the big purchases were done. Excellent timing.
And now, the news.
Israel-Hamas War
-via Reuters, NBC News, and AP News
We, of course, start with the Israel-Hamas war as, on Friday, what was meant to be a four-day truce began, with Hamas promising to release hostages in exchange for Palestinians Israel held.
During those four days, 69 hostages were released, as were 117 Palestinians.
Then on Monday, as the four-day cease-fire was set to expire, an additional two days were added on, with the possibility of more days added, with Israel saying they will extend it one day for every 10 additional hostages released.
Aid trucks are continuing to flow into the area, bringing food, water, and medicine to those in the Gaza strip where more than 14,500 people have died and 1.7 million have been displaced.
Here in America, near the University of Virginia, three college students of Palestinian descent were shot at close range over the weekend. While they are expected to survive, one was left with a spinal injury.
The shooter, a 48-year-old white man who is being held without bail, was charged with three counts of attempted murder.
Johnson Speaks to Santos
House Speaker Mike Johnson says he spoke at length with George Santos over the House’s holiday recess about his options ahead of a likely third vote to make George go bye-bye.
But like… what are your options? Leave now or leave when you’re voted out. This doesn’t feel like a long conversation. Did they talk about their Thanksgiving Day plans. How much they love Trump? Why do I feel like Johnson wanted to ask about OnlyFans but decided not to? But it’s a pickle because he wants to know, but he can’t google it because then his son will see it (I haven’t really talked about this on here because it’s weird and gross but if you don’t understand this reference… DM me).
Anyway, also the son thing is weird in general. If you go on his House website, there’s a great family photo of him with his wife and kids. Two girls, two boys. Except… apparently he also has a secret son. And I know what you’re thinking “but Kim, I bet a lot of Republicans have secret families and relationships because they’re so committed to the bit and their brand, that they can’t like their full and authentic lives in public.”
So which I’d say… sure. But this is still weird. Because in addition to the two sons in the photo, John has a third son – Michael. Kind of. When he was 27, Johnson (there’s some conflicting stories about whether he was married when this happened, or simply dating his now-wife) took custody of a Black fourteen-year-old, Michael.
Johnson is only 13 years older than him.
Also I say “took custody” but not “adopted” because they chose not to adopt him – because of the "lengthy adoption process."
And whatever. Maybe it’s totally innocent and nothing nefarious is going on there but… it’s weird. That’s for sure!
Not the weirdest thing about him, that’s also for sure.
Portland Teacher’s Strike
-via NY Times
A three-week teachers strike in Portland Oregon has come to an end with a tentative deal that was struck on Sunday.
The deal includes a 6.25% raise in the first year, followed by 4.5% the next, and 3% the third year, which is about right in the middle of the offer and ask at the beginning of the strike.
Thanks to holidays and other planned days off, the 45,000 students in the district had 11 days off.
I’m sure this is not the exact thing those students want to hear right this second, because now they have to go back to school and that’s probably a bummer but hey… strikes work. They’re miserable and preventable, but they work.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
I feel like there was something else I wanted to tell you. I can’t think of it right now though. If I think of it, I’ll tell you tomorrow.
I’m proud of nonprofits. If you want, you can head to my personal social media, or @wearevotersorg across all platforms, and we’ve got a few ways that you can make a difference (for free!) today and every day.
We just want people to vote. That’s all.
It’s all French toast day. And I… I love French toast. Big time. So this one is a nice one.
But more than that, more than some thick cut French toast with a raspberry compote, because nothing says a Sunday like you… I’m proud of you.