09/01/23
Good morning! It’s Friday, September 1st.
Bring Your Manners to Work Day.
Why not bring your manners to work every day? Why not bring your manners to every place every day?
Let me tell you something, we were a whole lot nicer, as a society, when Ted Lasso was still on the air.
And now, the news.
Covid on the Rise
-via NPR
In an episode opener straight outta 2020, Covid hospitalizations are on the rise, with some schools, hospitals, and workplaces encouraging or requiring masks again. CDC data from earlier this months earlier this month shows nationwide hospitalizations have increased by nearly 19% and deaths by more than 21%... in a single week.
While last August saw 40,000 hospitalizations a week, a recent uptick of up to 10,000 hospitalizations a week is still a concern.
Eris, the more transmissible Omicron variant, has become the dominant strain in the states, while the variant BA.2.86, which is more capable of causing infection, is also spreading. So… I really hope those two never meet!
So if you’re in an area that’s seeing numbers jump and masking is suggested, I’d recommend throwing that mask on. And if you go somewhere that asks you to put a mask on, don’t be a weirdo. Just put on a mask or leave if you don’t want to. It’s three years later. Don’t make a whole thing.
Mitch McConnell Health Update
U.S. Capital Dr. Brian Monahan has consulted with Senator McConnell after his second, public, freezing event and cleared him to return to work as he, as well as the Senator’s team, continue to frame the freezing as lightheadedness with the doctor noting, “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”
As a reminder, the Senator was side lined for nearly six weeks after he fell on stairs this past march. He also fell this past July while exiting an airplane.
So his team says he’s good to go back to work, while some Republican senators are trying to decide whether it’s time to make some Top of the Party changes. It’s an obviously sticky situation, and nothing’s set yet, but given the amount of time that McConnell has spent as one of the most powerful republicans in the country, don’t expect any real changes to happen without McConnell being on board (at least behind the scenes).
Justice Thomas Has Rich Friends – Deal with It
-via Washington Post
In his required annual report, Supreme Court Justice, and historic badman, Justice Thomas reported three trips on Harlan Crow’s private jet. One of which, he says, was a recommendation by his security team because apparently he’s more nervous now because he took the right to bodily autonomy away from anyone with a uterus and so he’s scared.
Of what? A lecture? I mean granted, I’d lecture him for a whole flight should I be forced to sit next to him, but still. Okay sure, take your private flight.
We have this info today because, even though the rest of the Justices handed in their required annual report months ago, Justices Thomas and A-leak-o requested 90-day extensions.
Totally normal and I’m sure we have all the info (that the two Justices want us to have) now.
Proud Boy Sentenced to 17 Years
-via CNN
Joe Biggs, a leader of the Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for his actions in the January 6th Capitol attack, making him the lucky recipient of one of the longest prison sentences for the attack handed down so far.
A second member was sentenced to 15 years.
Prosecutors asked for 33 years in prison for Biggs, but the judge in the case wanted to be conscious of how other people were sentenced. However, he was very clear in saying that he also didn’t want to minimize the violence. Adding, “The nature of the constitutional moment we were in that day is something that is so sensitive that it deserves a significant sentence.”
And what’s Biggs excuse for leading the deadly attack on the Capitol? “I wanted to see what would happen. My curiosity got the best of me and I’m going to have to live with that for the rest of my life.”
Ugh. Honestly, give him the whole 33 years for also having an embarrassingly terrible excuse.
Trump Crime Update Time
-via CNN and Huffington Post
And finally…
Trump Crime Update Time
(sure Jan, edition)
Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in his Georgia election stealing crimes case.
Meanwhile, Trump tried to team up with Governor Brian Kemp and get him to impeach Georgia DA Fani Willis.
The drama!
Kemp said no. What he actually literally said was, “In Georgia, we will not be engaging in political theater that only inflames the emotions of the moment.”
Because, as a reminder, Kemp and Georgia Sec of State Brad Raffensperger, they’re going to do their voter suppression ahead of the election. After that, it’s outta their hands. Because of how everyone’s paying attention.
So he says he’s not guilty and, although some ding dong YouTubers amassed 200,000 views in two days spreading the lie, no – DA Willis has not been impeached.
Side note – 200,000 views in two days. Friends… tell your people about this podcast. We gotta beat people like that.
Trump has also waived his right to appear in person at his next arraignment, which is scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, we’re still on Canary Watch, as well as waiting on a ruling for Marky Meads’ request to move his case to a federal court.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
Hey! Monday is Labor Day! So no news. Instead, go out there and support one of the many unions that are currently on strike right now. Like, for example, the writers and actors, who have been on strike since the writers first put pencils down on May 2nd, with the actors joining July 14th.
I’m proud of… unions. Workers. Lorena.
Also manners.
We stay proud of Rebecca Welton. Oh! And Hannah Waddingham who pulled the baller move of cancelling kind-of last minute when she was supposed to host the BBC Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom. Instead, she stepped down because what do we say – union solidarity all day every day baybee.
But more than… um… more than the BBC Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom, because I don’t totally know what that is… because you are a legend in your own right… I’m proud of you.