07/14/23
Good morning! It’s Friday, July 14th.
National French fry day! AND National Mac and cheese day.
Let me tell you what I like – first of all, mac and cheese with broccoli. But that’s like, that’s nothing. Everything likes that.
Let me tell you what sounds gross but I love… sweet potato fries with salt and vinegar sprinkles. Don’t just me.
And now, the news.
FDA Approves OTC Birth Control Pill
-via NBC News
There is So. Much. News today. Let’s start with some good news – the FDA has approved the nation’s first over the counter birth control pill for everyone of reproductive age, including teenagers.
A+ move.
NY Will Have to Redraw House Map
-via CNN
On Thursday, a New York court ordered the Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw their maps. Although it will likely be appealed and head on up to the state Supreme Court, this current ruling is a win for people who like democracy and think that votes should, you know, like count and stuff.
It’s also literally a win for Democrats, as this could potentially add more seats in their favor.
It all stems from the 2020 census, after which a bipartisan commission wasn’t able to agree on a map. So for 2022, a state court judge oversaw a the drawing of a new map. But that judge, according to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies (who is represents New York’s 8th district) says that 2022 map was drawn by an “unelected, out-of-town Special Master appointed by an extreme right-wing judge, who himself was handpicked by partisan political operatives.”
And apparently the court agrees. So they are going to redraw it – probably. The Repulicans have already appealed.
Matt Gaetz Investigation Revived
-via CNN
The House Ethics Committee has started reaching out to witnesses as the investigation into whether Matt Gaetz sex trafficked minors, shared inappropriate images and videos on the House floor, converted campaign funds to personal use, accepted a bribe, and also drug use, picks back up.
Oh also apparently lobbying violations.
I don’t know about this Matt Gaetz guy. He doesn’t seem great.
No no, I’m just kidding. Dude is awful!
Secret Service Concludes Cocaine Investigation
-via NPR & Washington Post
The Secret Service has concluded their investigation into the little bit of cocaine it found in the White House over the 4th of July weekend, citing a lack of physical evidence. No fingy prints on the dime bag!
Here’s the thing, and I’m not advocating for the cocaine but like… it was a dime found in an area where there are a lot of staff-led tours. It was found by the Situation Room, which hasn’t been used in months because it’s being renovated.
The House Oversight Committee, which is led by Republican James Comer, is all up in arms about it. But that same House Rep has said that Beau Biden, who died in 2015, should be charged with campaign finance crimes, Silicon Valley Bank failed because of “wokeness,” and the Chinese spy balloon contained bioweapons from Wuhan.
So… honestly the fact that Comer is all up in arms about this dime bag makes me care less.
Trump Crime Update Time
Two little
Trump Crime Update Time
…s for you.
First, in the illegal dibs calling case, the Department of Justice has asked Judge Cannon not to delay the case indefinitely, as Trump would like.
Federal prosecutors proposed a December 11th trial, but Trump countered with: “December 11th is cool but you know what’s cool? Never.”
Because, again, the idea is to run out the clock in hopes Trump wins and can pardon himself. Who needs a Constitush anyway?
But what happens if he doesn’t win? Well, unfortunately we know what that looks like because dude firmly lost the 2020 election and then through a hissy fit that became a deadly coup.
And in the coup crimes case, Coach Beard has interviewed his son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as former aide, Hope Hicks.
While we don’t know all they were asked, we do know they were asked if Trump ever acknowledged that he lost the 2020 election.
Of course, the January 6th House Committee hearing did show that Trump knew he lost. Including because of this quote, a week after the election: “Can you believe I lost to this f---ing guy?”
Also, a former aide of Marky Meads said that Trump would often tell Meadows that he lost but wanted to keep fighting. There was even a “truth-telling squad” that was in charge of telling Trump he lost.
Can I just, quick side note… what an absolute loser. Like, how embarrassing that they had to have a whole squad in charge of telling you that you lost because you’re too senssy to hear truths.
SAG-AFTRA Strike Begins
-via Washington Post & AV Club
And then we’re gonna end on the story that made me mad yesterday and guess what, I’m mad again today so I don’t care that I’m ending with it and will be more mad…
The actors strike is on as of Thursday afternoon. And no, obviously, I’m not mad at the actors. Or writers.
I am flames on the side of my face furious at the studios who are going to bankrupt a cities and people all because they want more money. They make millions of dollars and do not care about the millions of people they will hurt in their mission to have more money than they can ever spend.
Part of what they want, by the by, is to be able to scan a background actor’s likeness for one day’s worth of pay, and then be able to turn around and use their likeness forever, in any form, without pay or consent.
Without pay or consent.
So no, Bob Iger, with your $27 million a year plus bonuses, I don’t think the writers and actors are being unrealistic. I think the studios are being reckless.
Literally Iger said, “There’s a level of expectation that they have, that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.”
Absolutely unacceptable.
Union solidarity every single day, in every single workplace.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
Guess what? I thought I would be mad and I am!
I’m proud of unions, including my friends that are out there right now on the picket lines.
But as much as that, and even more than French fries… because you know about union solidarity, and statistically speaking some of you listening are striking right this very second… I’m proud of you.