06/15/23

Good morning! It’s Thursday, June 15th.

Global Wind Day.

It’s a day to, I guess talk about wind energy. And that’s great. Very important. But also… big shout out to the wind’s PR person. Because I don’t see Sun out here with their very own… day…

Sunday.

Sunday is the Sun’s day.

Now THAT’S some good PR. The wind should reach out.

And now, the news.

We’ve entered kind of a weird moment, friends, because… yeah – I think I’m gonna take another few days off.

It’s not ideal, but, as mentioned a couple weeks ago, I’m working on a documentary about Wendy Davis’ historic 2013 filibuster. It’s a little bit of a race to get it done so between that, and just classic summertime hijinks, I’m planning on taking another few days off.

So let’s do this…

I’m recording this episode a little earlier than I normally would, just in an effort to get one more episode in for the week. Unless something huge happens, there will be no news on Friday. Monday is a holiday, so you better believe I’m gonna take that excuse to not have an episode. But there will likely be no news on Tuesday either.

If you’re new here - I really try hard to be more consistent so just… bear with me.

If you’ve been listening for a while - eh. You get it. I’ll be back.

Fox News Calls Biden a Dictator

-via NY Times

Let’s start with an absolutely bonkers moment that happened during Trump’s speech following his Tuesday arrest. It wasn’t the speech – his speech was just a bunch of lies, which is very on brand. Though he did raise $2 million dollars saying we can’t trust the government, as he runs to literally lead the government… because he’s terrible.

But no, this happened on Fake Fox News.

They were showing a side by side of Trump giving his speech, while Biden spoke at the White House. And at the bottom of the screen ran the following chyron: “wannabe dictator speaks at the White House after having his political rival arrested.”

That’s a direct quote.

Just in case you’re like – I don’t know. Maybe now that Tucker’s out, the network’s trying to make some positive changes.

They ran that chyron.

It appeared briefly before being taken down and, according to the network, was addressed. Whatever that means.

The host of Fox News Tonight also referred to Trump as “the president of the united states” so… seems like that’s all going swimmingly over there.

Southern Baptists Just Say No (to Women)

-via NPR

On Wednesday, the Southern Baptist Convention voted to uphold earlier decisions to expel two churches because… are you ready for this… they have women pastors.

And then, after that, they were like – but what if other ladies have lady thoughts?! Oh no! So they’re currently working to amend their little constitution to say only men can be pastors or elders.

Isn’t that absolutely, to borrow a phrase from the previous story… bonkers?

It’s 2023! In America!

Ladies just out here trying to have rights and stuff. Ai yi yi!

Migrant Vessel Sinks off Greece

-via AP News

At least 79 people are dead, with many more missing, as a fishing boat filled with migrants attempting to reach Europe, sank off the coast of Greece.

The number missing is unclear, but authorities believe hundreds were on the boat.

Absolutely horrific.

GOP Fails to Censure Schiff

-via CNN

Hey, remember the time that the GOP was, like, very cool with Trump calling dibs on our nation’s most precious secrets but like, snitches get stitches and so they tried to censure House Rep Adam Schiff (who is currently running for Senator in California)?

So Schiff, who has criticized Trump for years and, in fact, was the House’s lead prosecutor in his first impeachment (important to clarify, because of how he’s been twice impeached), has long been a thorn in Republican’s side.

But it was Florida’s Anna Paulina Luna, House Rep from Florida how sponsored the censure resolution, saying that Schiff used his position House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to encourage or excuse abusive intelligence investigations for political purposes.

Said the Republicans: “and that’s only okay when WE do it!”

No no, they didn’t say that. But also, in many ways… didn’t they??

But when it came time for a vote, 20 Republicans voted with the Democrats to say that actually, Schiff was fine and there was no need for a censure.

So there we go – he lives to investigate again!

Way to go Adam Schiff. You’re doing a great job… in the House. Can’t imagine the House without you. You’re a fantastic House Rep.

And that’s it. That’s the news.

I’m proud of… the wind. And the sun!

And you know who I haven’t said I’m proud of in a while, but it doesn’t mean I’m not always actively proud… Kelly Clarkson. No real reason for it, just you know… good to remember.

But more than that… more than the wind and sun… because you are also a force to be reckoned with… I’m proud of you.