07/18/24
Good morning! It’s Wednesday, July 18th.
Perfect Family Day. And I just think that’s lovely. And I should be commended for this because it’s also caviar day and I am nothing if not a lover of caviar.
Still though – Families are nice, no matter the makeup.
And now, the news.
Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange
On Wednesday, three weeks after their last prisoner swap, Russia and Ukraine exchanged yet another 95 prisoners of war each. This is the 54th such exchange since Russia began it’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.
It’s unknown how many POWs each side still has.
Wednesday marked the 874th day of Russia’s invasion as well as the day JD Vance formally accepted his nomination as Trump’s running mate.
Trump’s Veep pick is particularly worrisome for, well, everyone. But also Ukraine because, as I mentioned in yesterday’s episode, not only does Vance say he doesn’t care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other (again, call me a dreamer but politicians, and really just human beings in general, should care about what happens to people) but he’s of the mindset that Ukraine should just give up completely and let Russia do what it wants.
This should be concerning to anyone who cares about Ukraine in general (as well as Gaza, because if you think this is the only place where Vance believes people should just give up their homes and lives, we’re all in for a rude awakening) but at a national level it’s concerning because, if he and Trump win, he will expect the same from those of us who stand up against them in service of what we believe.
Hear me out… we should make sure the people who believe a whole country full of folks should just give up and give in to their invaders should… not win the highest office in the land.
Schiff Calls on Biden to Leave
-via CNN (Schiff) and AP News (Biden)
After making private remarks saying as much over the weekend, Congressmember-turn-Senatorial candidate Adam Schiff made it official – he, too, would like President Biden to leave the ticket.
This makes Schiff the most prominent Democrat to just come right out and say it, as well as the first Democrat to resume ringing the bell since Saturday’s assassination attempt against former president Trump. Because even though Monday night saw North Carolina’s Mark Robinson speak at the RNC, despite giving a speech in a church earlier this month and saying that some people need killing… the Democrats are going to be more careful about their rhetoric.
There is also a little hot goss, (so not news! Just goss!) that Senator Schumer paid President Biden a visit over the weekend and bluntly told him it would be better for the country, the Democrats, and my personal, currently very annoying, twitter timeline, if he were to drop out. But again, hot goss but not news.
But speaking of actual news… Wednesday afternoon the Biden campaign announced that, while campaigning in Vegas, President Biden has tested positive for Covid. He is experiencing mild symptoms and will self-isolate in Delaware.
Bummer, for a lot of reasons, the least of which is that, between the $10 tattoos and all-night karaoke spots, the last thing you want to do in Vegas is get sick and have to go home early.
Sen. Menendez Will Resign
-via NBC News
The day after being found guilty of loving gold bars and crime, Sen. Bob Menendez told allies that he would resign from the Senate.
If true, the next step is for New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy to pick someone to fill the seat for the rest of his term.
We’ll see!
And that’s it. That’s the news.
Bonkers, right?
Between the Covid, the assassination attempt, and the RNC, there’s hardly any room for anything else!
Regarding the assassination attempt – there have been updates about the investigation but it’s all moving fast and information is changing… I expect that, for tomorrow’s episode, I can give a better update. Just know that an investigation is ramping up (as it should).
I’m proud of families! Families are nice. My family is great!
But more than… sour candy. Because my family listens to this show and I’m not trying to get in trouble! Because you are more sweet than sour… I’m proud of you.